John Ira Marston
July 10, 1926-Aug. 9, 2018
Atherton, California

John Marston of Atherton, California, peacefully passed away in Carmichael, California on the night of August 9, 2018. John will be greatly missed by his family and all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him during his 92 years of life. John was naturally friendly and interested in everyone he met. His smile lit up every room he entered until his final days.

John was born on July 10, 1926. He was raised as an only child by his parents in Burlingame, California. Although he traveled extensively, John was a resident of California throughout his life. His father was Ira Webster Marston, employed by the Southern Pacific Railroad. His mother, Vera Mae Taylor, was employed by Pacifica Bell as an operator. As a young man John roamed the hills of the Peninsula with friends and enjoyed his idyllic childhood. He loved anything with wheels and owned many cars from a Ford Model T to a BMW X3 in his long life.

John proudly served in the United States Army, drafted out of high school before graduation at 17. He served in Japan and the South Pacific as a medic. After returning to civilian life and beginning classes at the College of San Mateo to complete his high school education, John met the love of his life, Alice Chambliss. They were married in 1950 and began their 68 years of family life together. Alice was a stay-at-home mother of three. She also cultivated a passion as an artist, and an interior decorator. In their early years, John was a fireman for the city of Burlingame. After a few years, John purchased Bay Pest Control which he managed for more than 40 years before retiring. John loved the outdoors: fishing, camping, hunting, boating, and in his later years, sailing in the San Francisco Bay. For many years John and Alice enjoyed membership in the Coyote Point Yacht club. As a team, Alice and John purchased, remodeled, lived in, and then sold 8 Bay Area homes. Together they loved the process of reimagining a living space and making their plans come to life. John gradually became a master craftsman in the building trades. After retirement, John enjoyed his membership in the Rotary Club. John never lost his infectious sense of humor. John is survived by his wife, Alice Marston, his daughters Louise Valerie Marston (husband, Bruce Bolin), Denise Morey (husband, Richard), and his son, Eric Marston (wife, Laura). He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, David Morey (wife, Megan), Andrew Morey (wife, Bianca), Benjamin Morey, Erin Tabailloux (husband, Marc), Zackery Bolin, and Summer Marston. He is survived by one great grandchild, Ryan Thomas Morey. John had a never-ending love for music of all kinds — especially jazz standards. He and Alice loved to dance. Even after John’s feet remained planted near the end of his life, he kept the beat by standing and bouncing to any tune playing. He showed his love of life with thankfulness and good cheer. His affectionate, easy-going presence will be deeply missed by us all.

Tags: veteran