Malcolm George Marson, 77, of Coldwater died peacefully June 7, 2025 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Fort Wayne, IN surrounded by his wife, son, and daughter.
Visitation will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Coldwater Wednesday June 11 from 4:00-6:00 p.m., and the funeral will be held at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Coldwater Thursday June 12 at 11:00 a.m. The internment will take place at Fort Custer National Cemetery in Augusta, MI immediately following the funeral.
Following internment, the family invites you to join us at the Lamp Lighter in Coldwater, where Vicci and Malcolm met so many years ago, to raise a glass to Malcolm from 4:00-6:00 p.m.
He was born June 29, 1947 in Wurzburg, Germany to Jean Alys Henderson and Paul Light Marson. He was proud to be a WWII “baby,” and often shared the story of his family immigrating to the United States through Ellis Island.
He grew up in southern Michigan, graduating from Three Rivers High School in 1965, reminding us he graduated third from the bottom of his class. Following high school, he served as a Sergeant in the United States Air Force, proudly serving his country during the Vietnam War from 1965-1969 as a Weapons Loader.
A true wanderlust, upon returning home, Malcolm spent time living and working in California and Texas, working multiple different jobs and having many adventures. He made his way back to Michigan in 1975, and shortly after met the love of his life at the Lamp Lighter when Vicci Gilchrist whooped him in a game of foosball. They married in 1981 and shared 50 years of magic together.
Malcolm primarily worked in quality control throughout his life but was most proud of his work serving and supporting young troops in Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan from 2004-2011 as part of the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), affectionately earning the name “Sgt. Dad” from hundreds of Marines and Soldiers.
Malcolm had a deep heart for service, serving as a volunteer with Listening Ear in Coldwater as well as a term of service as Chairman of the Branch County Democrats. He often said that that was his most difficult assignment as he was “one of only three Democrats in Branch County.”
Malcolm had a true gift of gab, never at a loss for words or lacking a story to share (often a long one). He was an avid reader, with a love and appreciation for history, the classics, and politics. He loved traveling, riding his motorcycle, golfing (though he was quite aware of his limited ability), ice fishing, and spending time with family and friends.
He had a deep and abiding faith in God, a lifelong member of the Episcopal Church. His tenure with the Episcopal’s started as a young altar boy, during which time he was caught drinking the communal wine and then filling it up with water. As the years passed, his desire for the communal wine decreased as his love for Jesus increased. He was a faithful man to the end, never wavering in his strongly held beliefs.
Of all things, he was most proud of his beloved wife Victoria and the life they created and shared together. If you met Malcolm, you quickly learned the life story of his family and what his children were doing with their lives.
He was preceded in death by his mother Jean Henderson, father Paul Marson, son James Paul Marson, faither-in-love Clark Gilchrist, and mother-in-love Jean Gilchrist.
He is survived by his wife Victoria Marson of Coldwater, son Joshua (Lindsey) Marson of Bowling Green, KY., daughter Jennifer Marson-Reed (Dale Reed) of Grand Rapids, MI., beloved granddaughter Harper Kai Marson, grandsons Boone Joshua Neil Reed and Elijah Clark Marson, and his rescue angel dog Marley girl. He is survived by his brother Stephen Marson of Quincy, MI., sister Laura (Lolly) Mashinter of Rockford, Il., and many precious cousins, nieces, and nephews, with Tiffany Watson, Jason Gilchrist, Nathan Gilchrist, Zachary Watson, and Payton Ramos holding special places in his heart.
If so inclined, please consider donating to the Branch Area Rescue Coalition (BARC).
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