Obituary of Harold Emory Marshall

Harold Emory Marshall, age 76, of Germantown, MD, passed away on January 4th in his home with his children, Cassandra Jacques and Brian Marshall, by his side. Born October 4, 1942 in Washington, DC, he was a loving son to Margaret & Emory Marshall and brother to Saloma Jane Middleton. 

Harold grew up on a farm with a small home in Great Falls, VA, where his room was a re-purposed "Chicken Shack." When he turned 14, his family moved to a home where he had a private room for the first time. The same year, his mother lent him money to purchase a '49 Oldsmobile, which he was very proud of driving over the next decade. To pay her back, he began working at a filling station and eventually a local Herndon pool. Between working and school, Harold enjoyed the outdoors, fishing along the Potomac and hunting raccoons.

An excellent student, he was accepted to George Washington University on a full academic scholarship, where he would continue to study through graduate school and earn a PHD in Environmental Economics. His rural demeanor and country accent stood out amongst peers in his graduate program.

After graduating, Harold went on to embark on one of his proudest life adventures. He was a professor for World Campus Afloat, where he taught Economics on a ship that sailed around the world and stopped in various countries across the globe.

Harold would eventually settle into a career as a Researcher in Natural Resource Economics at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the Building and Fire Research Laboratory located in Gaithersburg, MD. Among his professional accomplishments were writing publications, developing NIST standards, and publishing a textbook. With over 30 years of Federal work under his belt, he would retire to his home in Germantown, MD.

Harold would write in a book to his grandson, Denton Jacques, that his three favorite activities were dancing ballroom, singing barbershop, and spending time with family and friends. An active member of the dancing community in the DMV, Harold especially loved attending Hollywood Ballroom dances on Sunday nights. He joined the barbershop chorus, Hometowne USA, where he sang in a quartet that performed his most famous song, Java Jive.

His warm smile and infectious, full-bodied laughter spread positivity and good nature to everyone around (and down the hall from) him. He had a genuine interest with everyone he spoke to, and his wisdom helped guide many to successful careers.

Harold is preceded in death by his parents Margaret & Emory Marshall. He is survived by his children Casey Jacques & Brian Marshall, grandson Denton Jacques, sister Saloma Jane Middleton, nephews Tim & Tony Holdaway, nieces Penny Valley & Ginger Craun, and girlfriend Thea Wernick. 

Family will receive friends at Adams-Green Funeral Home (721 Elden St, Herndon, VA 20170) for a viewing of Harold from 6-9PM on Wednesday, January 9th. A memorial service will  be held on Thursday, January 10th at 2PM also at Adams-Green. Interment will follow at Andrew Chapel Cemetery (1308 Trap Rd, Vienna, VA 22182) at 3:30PM. Friends and family are welcome to join a Celebration of Life at Colvin Run Dance Hall (10201 Colvin Run Road, Great Falls, VA, 22066) for music, food, and refreshments starting at 4PM on Thursday, January 10th.