Mark William Marshall

Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville announces funeral services for Mark William Marshall, age 28, of Cumming, Georgia, formerly of Blairsville, Georgia, who passed away on Saturday, July 14, 2012.

Mark was a native of Fort Pierce, Florida, although he lived most of his life in Blairsville. Mark was a veteran of the United States Marine Corp, where he attained the rank of Corporal and completed combat service in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He then became an officer for the Towns County Sheriff's Office working with his K9 partner "Deputy Dexter." He also served his beloved community as a police officer for the City of Young Harris. Subsequently, Mark returned to the Middle East serving his country as a kennel master training explosives detection dogs and their handlers to provide personnel and gate security for U.S. and NATO forces in multiple regions of Afghanistan, and more recently, the Department of the State in Iraq. He was a child of our King and a member of McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee.

Mark loved his family and friends, and never met a stranger. He had a passion and gift for making others laugh, and a personality that drew in all those around him. He made a point of seizing every day, never spending a minute sitting still, and enjoyed activities such as riding his chopper, hunting, weightlifting, water sports, and most importantly, playing with his precious daughters. The speed at which he lived amazed his friends; they could never seem to keep up with his boundless energy, and he was always planning tomorrow while others were finishing with today. But he was also spontaneous—people spending time with him never knew where they would end up or what they would be doing, only that it would be fun. His legacy to all who knew him is the collection of many fond memories and stories that will continue to be told for many years to come, ensuring that even though he is gone, he will never be forgotten.

Mark will be greatly missed by all who knew him, but especially his loving family: wife, Jamie, and daughters, Hailey and Riley Marshall, of Young Harris; his parents, Dr. Gary and Dr. Heather Marshall, of Cumming, Georgia; grandmother, Janice ("Nanny") Harvey, of Blairsville; brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Paige Marshall, of Blairsville; sister and brother-in-law, Brandee and Andre Guzman, of Moses Lake, Washington; and brother, Will Marshall, of Soap Lake, Washington; two aunts, Holly McShane, of Clarksville, Georgia, and Linda Handly, of Renton, Washington; many cousins, nieces, nephews, and other relatives also survive. Mark was preceded in death by his Papa, Robert L. Harvey.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Saturday, July 21, 2012, at 4:00 p.m., at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee. On the same day of the funeral, visitation will be held at McConnell Memorial Baptist Church in Hiawassee, between the hours of 2 until 4 p.m. Burial to follow at Laurel Hills Memory Gardens, with a dove ceremony and military honors conferred by the United States Marine Corps Honor Guard.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a fund established at United Community Banks for his daughters, Hailey (age 22 months) and Riley (age 4 weeks).

We, Mark's family, wish to thank the Towns County Sheriff's Office, the Union County Sheriff's Office, the Police Departments of the Cities of Young Harris and Hiawassee, Horizon Christian Academy, and all of those who have shown such amazing love and support during this difficult time.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Cochran Funeral Home of Blairsville. Please share your fond memories and condolences with the family at our website, www.cochranfuneralhomes.com.