Former Official Is Dead at 67

Vern Marshall, whose love of officiating took him from high school fields to the NFL and back during his career of almost 50 years, died Thursday of pancreatic cancer at his home in Portland, Ore. He was 67.

After Marshall was diagnosed with the disease in October, several of his colleagues from his 13 years in the NFL flew to Portland to work his final high school game with him. About 100 of his fellow Oregon high school officials showed up as well, to pay tribute to Marshall at the game between Madison and Marshall’s alma mater, Roosevelt. (The event was chronicled in a Times story published Nov. 4).

Marshall is survived by his wife, Tina Henderson, his sons Joe and Vern Jr. and eight grandchildren.