RIP: David "Opa" Marshal

[ExNusquam 11]

This just all around sucks. Dave always had something constructive to contribute, and I'm sure he was quite the fellow in real life. I'm sure he will be missed by all who knew him.

[virtualstuff 758]

Very sad news to hear that the always helpful "Opa" passed away, I wish his family my deepest condolence. You will be missed.

[JRMurray 214]

Very sorry to hear of Opa's passing. He was a great help to all of us in the flight sim community, and he will be missed by many. May he rest in peace.

[RFields5421 1]

Found this on a local funeral home web site. David and I had talked on the phone several times but our schedules never worked out for us to get together.

Memorial services for David Holmes Marshall will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at 7pm at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Plano, Texas. Mr. Marshall passed away on August 4, 2011, at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur, TX. David "Opa" Marshall was born on March 12, 1935 to George and Bertha in Montreal, Canada. When he was four years old his family moved to the United States. He graduated from McMinnville High School in 1953 where he was very active in choir and musicals. There he met his high school sweetheart Patsy Mae Farwell and proposed to her at a high school bonfire. They were married on October 30, 1955 and they began their 55 year honeymoon. They were blessed with five children: Eric, Daryl, Mary, Amy, and Vicki. He was a dedicated family man and always put his family first. He truely loved his wife and enjoyed spending time with her sharing memories that they created together. One of his most beloved treasures was his 14 grandchildren who gave him the name "Opa," the German name for Grandpa. Music was a big part of Opa's life. He spent his career building and repairing pipe organs which took him all over the country. He also played the pipe organ in various churches and often served as choir director. One of his favorite hymns to play was "God of our Fathers". After he retired in 1996 he began working for the Plano Independent School District as a bus driver where he was affectionately known as "Super Dave." In addition to his regular school route, Opa was also the lead driver for the Plano Senior High School band. He loved his job with the schools very much and was quoted saying "if you can't have a little fun, it's not worth getting up in the morning." Opa was a gifted woodworker. He spent countless hours in his garage building many pieces that will be passed down with great pride. Another one of his passions was working with Patsy and the Girl Scouts. Every activity that she was involved in, Opa was always by her side. He was a recognized volunteer with cookie sales and earned a life time membership. He was very proud of the "Outstanding Volunteer" pin he was awarded for his dedication to Girl Scouting. Opa always knew how to lighten the mood and was a kid at heart. His smile was contagious and he had a love for life that could not be overlooked. Everyone who met him couldn't help but love him. He will be greatly missed by everyone. Opa was proceeded in death by his parents George and Bertha Marshall and his sister, Ponnie Wilmont. He is survived by his wife Patsy and his five children and their spouses; Eric and Debbie Marshall of The Colony TX, Daryl and Barbara Marshall of Lawton OK, Mary and Don Pilkington of Louisville CO, Amy Avalos of Cabot, AR, and Vicki and Scott Harlow of Peyton, CO. Fourteen grandchildren and their families; Stephanie and Marvin Musgrove and children Avery and Kira of The Colony TX, Chris Marshall of Little Elm, TX, Jennifer and Jason of Norman, OK, Mande and Robert Whittington and children Jordyn and Alex of Lawton, OK, Sarah and Brian Schettler of Norman, OK, Sierra Pilkington and Dakota Pilkington of Louisville, CO, Robert and Danielle Plummer and children Victoria, Remington and Alexandra of Little Rock, AR, Christina Plummer of Cabot, AR, Wyatt and Catherine Plummer and children Trinitee and Castiel of Cabot, AR, Aaron Plummer of Cabot, AR, Tai Harlow, Rachel Harlow and Brody Harlow of Peyton, CO.

[SpiritFlyer 987]

A sad day. Rest in peace brother. Kind regards,

[Opa 6]

This is Opa's son and I thank you all for the wonderful comments. These last few days have been very difficult, but reading your wonderful posts have helped the healing. He is deeply missed! Daryl

[Guest simmer9304]

Memorial services for David Holmes Marshall will be held on Thursday, August 11, 2011, at 7pm at Ted Dickey West Funeral Home in Plano, Texas. Mr. Marshall passed away on August 4, 2011, at Wise Regional Health System in Decatur, TX.David "Opa" Marshall was born on March 12, 1935 to George and Bertha in Montreal, Canada. When he was four years old his family moved to the United States. He graduated from McMinnville High School in 1953 where he was very active in choir and musicals. There he met his high school sweetheart Patsy Mae Farwell and proposed to her at a high school bonfire. They were married on October 30, 1955 and they began their 55 year honeymoon. They were blessed with five children: Eric, Daryl, Mary, Amy, and Vicki.He was a dedicated family man and always put his family first. He truely loved his wife and enjoyed spending time with her sharing memories that they created together. One of his most beloved treasures was his 14 grandchildren who gave him the name "Opa," the German name for Grandpa.Music was a big part of Opa's life. He spent his career building and repairing pipe organs which took him all over the country. He also played the pipe organ in various churches and often served as choir director. One of his favorite hymns to play was "God of our Fathers". After he retired in 1996 he began working for the Plano Independent School District as a bus driver where he was affectionately known as "Super Dave." In addition to his regular school route, Opa was also the lead driver for the Plano Senior High School band. He loved his job with the schools very much and was quoted saying "if you can't have a little fun, it's not worth getting up in the morning."Opa was a gifted woodworker. He spent countless hours in his garage building many pieces that will be passed down with great pride. Another one of his passions was working with Patsy and the Girl Scouts. Every activity that she was involved in, Opa was always by her side. He was a recognized volunteer with cookie sales and earned a life time membership. He was very proud of the "Outstanding Volunteer" pin he was awarded for his dedication to Girl Scouting.Opa always knew how to lighten the mood and was a kid at heart. His smile was contagious and he had a love for life that could not be overlooked. Everyone who met him couldn't help but love him. He will be greatly missed by everyone.Opa was proceeded in death by his parents George and Bertha Marshall and his sister, Ponnie Wilmont. He is survived by his wife Patsy and his five children and their spouses; Eric and Debbie Marshall of The Colony TX, Daryl and Barbara Marshall of Lawton OK, Mary and Don Pilkington of Louisville CO, Amy Avalos of Cabot, AR, and Vicki and Scott Harlow of Peyton, CO.Fourteen grandchildren and their families; Stephanie and Marvin Musgrove and children Avery and Kira of The Colony TX, Chris Marshall of Little Elm, TX, Jennifer and Jason of Norman, OK, Mande and Robert Whittington and children Jordyn and Alex of Lawton, OK, Sarah and Brian Schettler of Norman, OK, Sierra Pilkington and Dakota Pilkington of Louisville, CO, Robert and Danielle Plummer and children Victoria, Remington and Alexandra of Little Rock, AR, Christina Plummer of Cabot, AR, Wyatt and Catherine Plummer and children Trinitee and Castiel of Cabot, AR, Aaron Plummer of Cabot, AR, Tai Harlow, Rachel Harlow and Brody Harlow of Peyton, CO.

As saddening as it is to see Opa's passing, I always can't help but smile when I read of somebody who has had such a long and fulfilling life as Opa did. What a truly outstanding man

[N2056 33]

Daryl, first off please accept and pass on to the rest of your family my sincere and deepest sympathy and condolences on the loss of your father. He was a wonderful presence in many of the forums pertaining to the hobby over the years, and was always ready to help people whenever he could. He was obviously a wonderful man, and I can only imagine that he must of been a great father. It is said that when you leave this world you are known not for what you had, but for what you did. Your father's legacy in our hobby is one that will last for many years as he provided help to many of us along the way. He will be sorely missed. God Bless,Robert

[Mudhen 0]

I'll miss David's humor and patience. He always had a kind word when answering my questions. Knowing nothing about other aspects of his life, but only what I've read in his posts to this forum, it's plain that he was very much loved by everyone and treasured by his family. A verse from the Bible at Ecclesiastes 7:1 comes to mind. In the King James it reads: "A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one's birth." At his birth he had not yet established what kind of person he would be. But by the time of his falling asleep in death, he surely had built up a long history of good things done and said. We'll all miss him.MH

[irocx 293]

I stopped for a visit to Opa's profile and noticed one of his last posts here - thought it was a good read and really highlights Dave's spirit. Notice the dates of the posts. http://forum.avsim.net/topic/229285-tallinn-scenery-help/page__p__2032339#entry2032339

[SkyKnight_TN 0]

Such a tragic loss. Not only for his family, but for the flight sim community as well. He was so devoted to both; and provided so much help to the flight sim community. Opa, you will be sadly missed. There aren't many that have so selfishley done so much to help so many. Thanks Opa.....we will miss you. Skyknight

[Johnny767 40]

It is sad indeed to hear this news. May his family find comfort in this difficultt moment. David will greatly be missed.

[Bert Pieke 7,585]

Opa was a classy and delightful member of the Flightsim family - he will be missed..

[dc10boy 0]

Thanks for all you have done for me Opa.We have lost a good man here but Heaven has gained a good man.Rest in peace and may God's love go out to your family.Stan

[kjjj11223344 48]

What a sad loss. Opa was the first to help me on my first post. My prayers go out to his family.