Dr. Marshall John Howard Jr.

HAIL TO THE VICTOR VALIANT On Friday, March 31, 2023 our Heavenly Father called to rest a devoted husband, beloved father, grandfather and patriarch, Dr. Marshall John Howard, Jr. He was the first child born to Marshall John Howard, Sr. and Viola Lee Bibbs in Arbor, Michigan, under the shadow of the dome of the University of Michigan. Throughout childhood, Marshall was mesmerized by the grandiosity of the University of Michigan campus and tradition. He made it his mission to one day to attend the stellar institution. At an early age, Marshall accepted Christ as his Lord and Savior at Bethel AME Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan. His family later moved to Detroit where he graduated from Chadsey High School at the top of his class with his sights set on returning to Ann Arbor, Michigan to further his education and play football in the Big House. He earned a football scholarship to the University of Michigan, however, in the pre-season, a devastating knee injury ended his football career before he could ever take the field. Despite this unfortunate setback, Marshall was determined to graduate from the University of Michigan and pressed forward down his field of dreams. He reached his goal, earning his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan, a Master’s Degree in education from Wayne State University and his PhD in Speech Pathology and Anthropological Linguistics from Wayne State University. While working in the Undergraduate Library at the University of Michigan he met Eunice Laniece Munson. They would later marry, and to this union two children we born, Marshall III and Lauren Laniece. LEADER AND BEST Marshall’s academic achievements and excellence brought forth an illustrious career as a professor at the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Marshall was a highly sought after lecturer, researcher and a contributor to several literary publications. He was awarded the esteemed Clara B. Stoddard Award in Speech Pathology from Wayne State University. He was featured in the book, They Made It So Can You. Marshall later served as supervisor for the State of Michigan Department of Health and dedicated the remainder of his career to serving as a speech and language pathologist for the Detroit Public Schools, educating and empowering the developmentally disabled and language impaired. His professional prowess led him to launch a private practice, Dynamic Evaluation and Enhancement of Educational Potential (D.E.E.E.P.) dedicated to assessing and enriching students’ academic potential. Marshall was a staunch advocate for education and intentional about pouring into young minds. When he wasn’t educating and empowering, he was creating and crafting custom barbecue pits, collegiate sports merchandise and outdoor art installations. His front lawn was often the stage for his life-size holiday snow sculptures, which landed him a feature in the Detroit News. Marshall believed in repurposing everything and was passionate about nature, gardening and animals. He was a skilled horseback rider and a collector of hats, antiques and sports memorabilia. For two decades he was a season ticket holder for University of Michigan football games and was known for his rousing cheer, Do It, Blue Do It. He curated and impressive collection of Egyptian and African art, Buffalo solider artwork, sculptures and University of Michigan collectibles. HAIL THE CONQUERERING HERO While employed with the Detroit Public Schools, he met his true love, a fellow colleague, Linda Darnell Gilmore. Together they shared many wonderful years of marriage. They enjoyed spending time with family and friends, attending U of M football games, playing cards, traveling and supporting their grandchildren’s activities. Marshall had a larger than life personality. Everyone could count on him to get the party started and dance the night away. His winning spirit was contagious. He was personable, gregarious and made friends everywhere he went. Marshall was a pillar of the community and took his civic duties seriously. He served as block club president for many years, was a member of the community coalition, and contributed his time, talent and treasure to political campaigns and causes he believed in. Always concerned with those who were less fortunate, each year Marshall made sure every child in the neighborhood had something underneath the tree for Christmas. He donated to countless charitable causes and eagerly shared the gospel by distributing Our Daily Bread booklets. He was a loving and supportive husband and a dedicated father who enjoyed every moment with his children, grandchildren, and extended family and friends. He instilled strong values of discipline, dependability and determination. His motivational sayings, “ Doc-isms”, inspired generations to live lives of integrity and purpose. Marshall’s loved ones knew that Dad, Pop, G-Pop, Uncle Marshall, would always show up to all of their endeavors exuding unrelenting pride. His legacy is limitless. He leaves to mourn his passing three generations of loving family members. Beloved wife, Linda, children, Marshall III, Lauren Laniece, Kali (Amy), Kyle (Alesia), sister, Sarah (Lavert), god-daughter Rahijaa, cousin Marquette (James), cousin Diane Thomas, sister-in-laws, Geraldine (Harold), Dorothy, Camelia, grandchildren, Marshall IV, Carlos II, Bryce, Elijah, Lewis, Henry; niece, Simone, nephew, Joshua, childhood best friend, Elliott Hall, U of M college roommate MC Burton, and a host of extended family and friends. Marshall will be received in eternity by his heavenly greeters: his parents, Marshall John Sr. and Viola; brother, Marvin; grandmother, Sarah, grandfather Lyndon, aunts Sarah, Shirley, Lucille, uncle Cleo; cousins George, Lavinia, Rosalina, and Georgia. Your life is God’s gift to you. What you make of this opportunity, the way you live and treat others is your gift back to Him. Go Blue! -Dr. Marshall J. Howard, Jr.

Dr. Marshall John Howard Jr.

May 30, 1938 - March 31, 2023