Philip Eric Marshall (Phil)

November 15, 1967 - March 23, 2025

Philip Eric Marshall (Phil) passed away peacefully in the care of Hosparus in Louisville,
Kentucky on a beautiful, spring day, May 23rd. His mind and body were weary and tired
as a motorcycle accident in March harkened a decline in his health that he couldn’t
overcome. He was ready to go to his heavenly home and be reunited with those who
passed before him, his mom, dad and grandma, whom he adored.

Phil was born in 1967 in Springfield Ohio and had an idyllic childhood spent riding his
bike, skateboarding, playing with neighborhood friends, wading in the creek, building
forts and racing matchbox cars. He was always curious about the world and loved
figuring things out. His father, Acie, who was Phil’s best pal, was a Baptist minister and
founded the church that Phil grew up in, surrounded by a loving extended church family.
His mother, Alma was the consummate preacher’s wife, and mom to their four children,
Debbie, Steve, Becky and Phil. They spent many happy days living on their corner acre
on Possum Road.

Phil lived his life large and out loud with his recent years spent joyfully in sobriety,
reconnecting with friends and family and mending relationships with those most
important to him, his mother, brother and sisters and his two beautiful daughters, Madi
and Kacie. He worked hard to redeem the years spent not so well and made sure that
everyone close to him felt loved and appreciated for loving him through the difficult
times. Those who knew him best will miss his eternally optimistic way of seeing the
world, always trying to leave everyone he met with a smile on their face.

Phil’s path in life was never a traditional one. The death of his father when he was nine
years old, forever altered his path, leading him in and out of great joy and great sorrow.
He had big adventures, riding with cowboys in Arizona, living on the beach in Florida,
backpacking through Puerto Rico and miles and miles driving the backroads of America
as an over-the-road truck driver all over the United States. Some of his favorite places
were little western towns in the mountains of Colorado and Montana. But his greatest
adventure was being dad to the loves of his life, his two wonderful daughters, Madi and
Kacie.

Phil struggled for much of his adult life in the clutches of alcohol addiction. He entered
rehab several times and tried desperately to maintain sobriety without success. But in
2021, “by the grace of God”, one of Phil’s mantras, he began his new life. After
reaching his lowest point that almost cost him his life, Phil entered Christopher House,
in Xenia Ohio. With the help of a wonderful man, Nate Crago, and a house full of fellow addicts he called brothers, Phil began his life of sobriety that he continued fervently until his passing.

Phil’s greatest joys in his final years were hanging out with family, drinking lattes, talking
cars, sitting on Becky and Will’s front porch, flying his drone, riding his motorcycle
through the streets of Louisville, watching the world through is 6th floor apartment
window, playing with his cats, Wilma and Alma, and making new memories with his
family. He was a testament to gratitude and loving kindness and leaves a legacy of love
for us all. Those who wish to honor his life may make donations to Christopher House
Rehab in Xenia Ohio.