James Edward “Jim” Marshall, 98, Topeka, passed away June 26, 2022. He was born August 25, 1923, the youngest of seven children, at the family farm north of Reading, KS in Osage County. The son of James “Art” and Mary Frances (Boisson) Marshall.
Jim graduated from Reading High School in 1941, University of Kansas in 1948 and had received M.S. Degree from Fort Hays State University in 1956 and Doctor of Education Degree from University of Kansas in 1994. He was employed as the Superintendent at the St. Francis Boys Homes in Ellsworth, KS and clinical psychologist at the Larned State Hospital, Larned, KS prior to working at the Kansas State Department of Education in Topeka.
He began as the Director of Special Education at the Kansas State Department in 1958 and served in that capacity for 32 years which is a record for the longest tenure of any state director. He has received many awards including: First Distinguished Service Award by the U.S. Office of Special Education and Rehabilitation, served on the Presidential Advisory Board during the J.F. Kennedy Administration, Distinguished Service Award by state and national Arts for the Handicapped organizations, Outstanding Education Administrator of the Year by the Kansas Association of Education Office Personnel, Exchange Administrator in United Kingdom (Wales), Governor’s Task Force on Mental Health Reform and the Award of Excellence by the State Council for Exceptional Children.
He has held national and state offices in various associations related to exceptional children. His major accomplishments in special education included advancing services for handicapped and gifted students toward more appropriate special education, initiating the paraprofessional programs in Kansas, initiating a system of Arts for the Handicapped, promoting research in special education and leading the state’s efforts toward better trained teachers of exceptional children.
He served in the Army Air Corps in World War II as a B-29 radio operator stationed in Saipan, Pacific Theater. While in the Air Corps from 1943-1945, he flew over 33 combat missions over Japan with his 879th Bomb Squadron of the 499th Bomb Group. He received several military honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.
He was a member of Second Presbyterian Church, University of Kansas Alumni, Delta Chi Alumni and the Topeka Rose Society. He was a life-long learner of many pursuits of knowledge. Jim was passionate about reciting poetry, writing, public speaking and supporting family with their educational goals. He served on several church committees including governing boards and was the adult Sunday School teacher for many years. He enjoyed cultivating/judging award winning roses, Topeka Rose Society, and sharing gardening produce with others. He explored history and genealogy while traveling both in the U.S. and internationally with his family.
On November 11, 1951, Jim was married to Virginia L. Speck in Topeka, KS at the First Presbyterian Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia Marshall, parents and siblings. Survivors include a son, Marc Marshall (Janey) Oak Grove, MO; daughter, Susan Newman (Frank) Derby, KS; son, Keith Marshall, Topeka; and daughter, Laurie Heng (Joe) Wichita, KS; and grandchildren Nathan Marshall (Jennie), Rebecca Pyle (Chris), Julian Newman, Todd Newman, Tyler Heng, Megan Heng, Ryan Marshall; four great grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held at Davidson Funeral Home on Sunday, July 10, from 3-5 p.m. Funeral services will be Monday, July 11, at Second Presbyterian Church, at 10:30 a.m. Burial will follow at Round Mound Cemetery in Cummings, KS at 2 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be made to Second Presbyterian Church, 210 N.W. Menninger Rd. Topeka, KS 66617; KU Endowment University of Kansas, Designated Fund, Dr. James E. Marshall, School of Education and Human Sciences, Special Education Dept. (01598) (www.kuendowment.org/memorials); or B-29 Doc’s Friends (www.b29doc.com).
The family expresses a special thank you to the staff of Interim HealthCare Topeka and The Healthcare Resort of Topeka for their support and compassionate care.