John Franklin Marshall

John F. Marshall, age 95, of Naples FL passed away January 23, 2025, after often commenting how blessed and amazed he was to have lived so long. He was born April 8, 1929, in Philadelphia, PA to the late Garwood and Florence Marshall.

In his final years, he declared the most important events in his life to be knowing God Almighty; having loving parents; marrying his college sweetheart, Carolyn Cree Martin; becoming a father, grandfather, great-grandfather; serving in the Army; building several highly successful businesses; serving 25 years as a volunteer in the Coast Guard Auxiliary; and all the good friends and memories he made along life's path.

John graduated from Drexel University in Philadelphia with a Bachelor of Arts degree. As an honors ROTC student, he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in 1952 and was sent to infantry Officers School in Fort Benning, GA. He was then assigned to the 11th Airborne in Fort Campbell, KY, where he prepared draftees to become soldiers ready to fight in the Korean War. In 1954, John served as an infantry Platoon Leader and then as a Company Commander.

John met his lovely wife "Cree" while both were attending Lycoming College in Williamsport, PA. It was love at first sight, but they were both too young and not yet ready for marriage. John transferred to Drexel University hundreds of miles away. They embarked on a long-distance journey that lasted five years until they were both making a living as young professionals. They reconnected and on a moonlit boat ride, Cree answered "yes" to the question, which resulted in a wonderful 70-year marriage, until Cree's death in 2022.

John began his career in sales and marketing for Mobil Oil Company. After 10 years in corporate life, he and Cree made the bold decision, while raising two children, to take their life's savings, to start a business of their own. Snelling & Snelling Personnel Services, Columbus, OH, quickly became the most successful employment agency in central Ohio, placing more than 20,000 people in full-time careers. In 1967, they started ADIA, a temporary help agency, which also became a success story. Over 5,000 employees were placed on assignment each week, making it one of central Ohio's largest employers, by the time John retired in 1995.

John was an active and honored volunteer in the human resources industry and was elected chairman of the Ohio Advisory Board for private employment services. He then became president of the Columbus, Ohio Employment Services Association. He was twice elected president of the Ohio Association of Personnel Consultants, before serving as Chairman of the Board of Regents for the National Employment Association. In 1974, he was given the President's award for outstanding long-term service, and in 1975, John was elected the first Lifetime Trustee by the Ohio Personnel Association. In 1977, he was named Certified Personnel Consultant of the year. Lastly, in 1998, he was elected to the Ohio Staffing Services Association Hall of Fame.

John loved to volunteer, with two highlights being an arbitrator for the Columbus Better Business Bureau for over 20 years and serving 25 years for the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Naples, FL, where he became Flotilla Commander. He became a Master Instructor and taught safe boating classes to the public until age 86.

John was raised in a Christian family, where he developed a passion for giving both his time and money to worthy causes. In retirement John and Cree started the John & Cree Marshall Foundation dedicated to providing grants that promoted personal initiative, the rule of law, free enterprise, improving education, and a strong United States military.

John was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Cree Marshall, infant son David, son John Marshall, Jr., his sister, Sister Patricia Marshall and his brother, Garwood Marshall Jr. He is survived by his daughter, Christine Girard, granddaughter, Justine Cianchetti and her husband Andrew, and their two children, Aria and Luca.

A Celebration of Life for John and Cree will be held at the First Presbyterian Naples Church, on March 15, 2025, at 3:00 pm. The service will be streamed on TheFirstPresbyterianChurch.com website.

John's ashes along with wife Cree's ashes will be buried at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery at a date to be determined. Memorial donations in John and Cree's name may be made to Avow Hospice, Naples, First Presbyterian Church, Naples, where they were members, or to a charity of your choice.