YOAKUM: Thomas Reily “TR” Marshall passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, May 24, 2026.  He was born on January 9, 1945 in Hondo, Texas to Thomas Clyde Marshall and Jo Reily Marshall.  In 1950 the family settled in Yoakum, Texas where his father was a football coach and his mother was a school teacher.  As a child he enjoyed hunting and fishing, sports, and building things. He had fond memories of being on the sidelines with his father and travelling on the bus with the Bulldog team.  He experienced his father taking the YHS Bulldogs to their first ever state championship game in 1952.

In high school Tom Reily played football and excelled in pole vaulting. He built his own pole vault pit and runway in a vacant lot near his home in Yoakum. Tom Reily set the state record for pole vault his senior year and that record stood for many years.

He was known as a prankster and jokester.  The infamous story of Tom Reily riding his horse through the halls of Yoakum High School will never be forgotten.

His high school pole vault success led to a scholarship at the prestigious Rice University where he contributed to his team winning three Southwest Conference championships 1964-67.   In 1968 he graduated from Rice University with a BA in Education and earned a Masters in Education from Prairie View-A&M University.

After graduation he returned to Yoakum and worked as a teacher and coach of various sports.  He also served in the National Guard.

In 1972 he married Dorothy Lee “Pee Wee” Ploeger of Gonzales.  They were married for 12 years and had two children together, Hollis and Thomas.

He was a beloved coach and teacher, and generations of students and athletes called Coach Marshall their favorite and many considered him a friend later in life. He changed lives with his encouraging and inspirational spirit.  Two tenants of his teaching philosophy capture just how much he cared:  “You never know what a student is dealing with at home so always listen and give grace.” and “You can change a student’s entire attitude, perspective, and self-image with words of encouragement, genuine interest, and positive affirmations.”

Throughout his adult life TR was involved in various farming and ranching endeavors.  He was especially known for his Brahman cattle herd that was renowned throughout the southern states and Mexico.

TR had an incredibly giving spirit and was known for always helping people.  He attributed this value to watching his parents do the same.

TR fiercely loved his family.  His children and grandchildren always knew that his love and support were boundless and unconditional.  His three granddaughters were his pride and joy and he spent many hours with them. Whether it was outdoor adventures, learning about ranching, practicing various sports, or playing cards those girls always knew they were blessed beyond measure with life lessons laughs, love, and most importantly his time and attention.

TR is survived by his daughter Hollis Marshall West and granddaughter Hope; son Thomas Richard Marshall, his wife Erin and granddaughters Emma and Autney; sister Nancy Marshall West  and husband John Scott West; and 8 nieces, nephews, and grand-nieces and nephews.

TR was preceded in death by his father Tom Clyde Marshall, his mother Jo Reily Marshall Plume, and step-father “Jack” NY Plume.

Visitation 5:00-7:00 pm. Thursday, May 28, 2026 at Thiele-Cooper Funeral Home.  Funeral service 2:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2026 at Yoakum Community Center. Private family burial will follow.

Serving as pallbearers are Richard Ellis, Brant Jacobs, Bill Hyman, Scott Kuester, Marvin Seitz, Mark Ploeger, Jim Shelton, and Donnie Williams.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Coach Marshall Memorial Athletic Scholarship Fund through Yoakum National Bank or the Shiner St. Paul Booster Club.