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For some, small towns are just in their blood and a preferred way of life. However, for Marshall Day small towns and newpapers became a permanent, preferred way of life. Being a West Texas boy raised in Andrews, Marshall got his first taste of newspaper life when he was nineteen years old at the Hereford Brand in Hereford.

Marshall would find success throughout his career as a newspaper man. When looking for a new start, Marshall sold the Seminole Sentinal and moved to Granbury. There he worked for Jerry Tidwell, publisher of Hood County News and long time friend. In 1991, with the help of an introduction from Jerry, Marshall would meet Debbie and begin the next and biggest chapter of his life.

Having been a dear friend of Debbie’s and Marshall’s, Jerry knew the two of them would hit it off. The set up was perfect. Debbie was a single mother of two young boys, working at the Lake Granbury Area Chamber of Commerce, when Marshall stepped into her life and never left.

Marshall and Debbie were married, and Marshall took a publisher/partnership position in Edna at their local paper. They both began their life together in the newspaper business in Edna only to expand again. In 1994, their journey brought them to Gatesville where Marshall would become the publisher, stock owner, and president role with The Gatesville Messenger.

While Marshall managed the publishing aspects of The Gatesville Messenger, Debbie took on the task of advertising manager and later added office managing and bookkeeping to her duties. Working, learning, growing and serving the community together they immersed themselves in the area as a team for many years.

When Marshall passed away in 2016, Debbie wasn’t quite sure if she would continue on with the paper. After all, the long time team wasn’t complete anymore. However, the board of directors had her in mind to fill the void that her loving husband had left. Debbie was unanimously named publisher of The Gatesville Messenger. She felt the privilege and the pressure of the position. Debbie credits the board with helping during that first year since she didn’t have the experience in the job. With Marshall’s footprint in place, Debbie could carry out his work with success.

Throughout their newspaper years together, both Marshall and Debbie were involved with many statewide and national newspaper associations including TPA, NNA, WTPA, STPA, NETPA, etc., winning several statewide awards and local appreciations.

Marshall served on most of the boards mentioned and was President of TPA and NETPA for one term each. To this day Debbie enjoys the opportunity the different associations affords to network and socialize with other newspaper people. Because of Marshall’s standing as a past Texas Press Association (TPA) President, Debbie is invited back every year to the Past President’s Dinner to honor his time serving on the board. She says she is proud to be included in what she considers a brotherhood or sisterhood of newspaper people throughout the state.

Locally they both were active in Gatesville Chamber of Commerce, Planning & Zoning committee for the city, and supporting the local Boys & Girls club.

Both Marshall and Debbie held family above all else. They both loved going out to the city of Gatesville baseball complex and watching their grandchildren play ball. Debbie still does! So, when Marshall passed away on October 25, 2016, their son Chris Garrett along with the help of Seth Phillips (Recreation Director for the City) came up with the idea of a yearly softball tournament in Marshall’s memory.

The Marshall Day Memorial Tournament is a benefit tournament, usually taking place around the first week in Fall. This event raises money for improvements at Gatesville’s local ballpark. Marshall was a huge supporter of the youth sports programs offered in Gatesville and now continues to give to the youth in this way. Through donations from the tournament, they have been able to add bleacher shade awnings and dugout covers to four of the ballfields. Chris Garrett and the City of Gatesville Recreation Department organize the tournament each year.

Marshall’s love and support lives on by the continued assistance to the community with the yearly tournament. Debbie still goes to help support in person. Years of teamwork and community involvement still continue for the Days. Thank you both Marshall and Debbie for a living legacy.