Marshall Turner Jeffus died Thursday, April 13, 2017 at his home in Garland Texas after a year long battle with cancer. He was born in Houston, Texas, September 19, 1937, to Hugh Lawrence Jeffus and Medora Elizabeth Marshall Jeffus. He married Sandra Dean Ham on July 18, 1959, in Dallas, Texas.

Marshall graduated from Central High School, Tulsa, Oklahoma in 1955; Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas in 1959, with a bachelor of Science Degree in chemistry. He was a member of the ROTC at TTU. He was one of fifty men out of an enrollment of 6,430 selected for Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society membership at TTU in 1956. He was accepted into Baylor Dental School in Dallas in 1959, but decided to pursue a career in chemistry in 1961. He worked for the City of Dallas from 1961 – 1963. He was a chemist for the Food and Drug Administration, Dallas, Texas from 1963 until his retirement in 1997.

Marshall authored and coauthored numerous publications and bulletins based on his research and scientific experiments that he conducted for the FDA. Many were published in the 'Journal of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists'. He collaborated with colleagues at the FDA and Dr. Charles Kenner, Dept. of Chemistry,SMU, and devised an apparatus used in the determination of mercury levels in biological materials. Their research and experiments were largely based on pesticide and industrial wastewater byproduct contamination of food sources for human and animal consumption. He was a dedicated and hard-working employee, but he never forgot to bring home a large package of dry ice on Halloween for his girls to set up their Mad Scientist's laboratory display.

He enjoyed traveling and outdoor activities with his family and friends. His travels took him all over the United States, Mexico and Canada. The activities he most enjoyed were boating, camping, hiking, and canoeing. Canoeing the Upper and Lower Rio Grande River was one of his most challenging and memorable excursions. After his retirement from the FDA, he spent long hours with his grandchildren, shuttling them to and from school, walks to the park, and various activities. His family and friends were very important to him. He will be remembered for his wit, humor, and generosity.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his identical twin brother, Thomas Rider Jeffus, 1978; a brother, Hugh Lawrence Jeffus, Jr, 2012; father-in-law, Ernest Flem Ham, 1994; mother-in-law, Nanie Bell Ham, 2014; son-in-law, Bradley Jay Phillips, 2016; brother-in-law, Robert L. Ham, 2014; sister-in-law, Sarah Lou Flowers Ham, 2016. He had a very close and special relationship with his late grandparents, Tom and May Bell Jeffus and Rider and Goldie Marshall.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra, two daughters, Marsha Jane Jeffus Usvolk and husband Scott of Flower Mound; Anita Joyce Jeffus Phillips of Rowlett; sister, Nanalee Jeffus Nichols and husband, Thomas of Deport; sister-in-law, Vicki Gooding Jeffus of Deport; grandchildren, Jeffrey Marshall Usvolk; Elliott Charles Usvolk; Bryce Alexander Phillips (wife Lisa); Raquel Medora Phillips; great grandchild, Katalina Belle Phillips (mother Samantha); step great-grandchildren, Jonathan Cantu, Wyatt Kime; nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family.

There will be a memorial service for close family and friends at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, April 23rd, at the First Presbyterian Church, Deport, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 276, Deport, Texas 75435 or to the charity of your choice.