Obituary of James Earnest Marshall, III

Jim Marshall, 73, passed away peacefully in his home with his wife by his side on February 8, 2022. He was born on September 1, 1948 to James Marshall and Ruth Clary and was a native of Southern California. He was raised in Long Beach, California and graduated from Wilson High School, Cabrillo College, and Pacific Oaks College. Throughout his life, Jim lived in Southern California and was a 50 year resident of Santa Cruz.

Jim worked in the Marine Reserves and National Guard Reserves, as co-owner of Children’s Alley Preschool, part-time ECE faculty at West Valley and Cabrillo College, Coordinator for the Santa Cruz County Children’s Commission, and as a musician and children’s music recording artist. He was the co-founding Director of CCSLV Children’s Center, founding grant writer for Dientes Community Dental Clinic, coordinator for Child Care Ventures. Grant writer for Santa Cruz City Schools, and was the Education and Training Coordinator for the Foster Kinship Care in Santa Clara County. He was a coordinator for Santa Cruz County Children and Youth Commission and a coordinator for the Child Care Planning Council in Santa Cruz County. He served as commissioner on the First 5 Santa Cruz for 10 years.

 Jim learned to speak Spanish at age 10 and used his bi-lingual skills to educate and advocate for children and adults throughout Santa Cruz County. He was a lifetime candle maker and gardener. He had a talent for creating spaces that were both beautiful and functional for children because he believed that “you show children respect by putting them in aesthetically pleasing and functional learning environments.”

Jim is survived by his wife of 45 years, Mary Jo Marshall, daughter Cecilia (Marco) Gonzales, granddaughter Gianna Gonzales, and grandson Cash James Gonzales, son Poco (Ruth) Marshall, and granddaughter Olivia Mariposa Marshall, grandson Cosmo James Marshall. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to a memorial fund supporting Jim’s wife at https://gofund.me/b3055248