‘Heart of gold.’ Beloved Tri-City teacher memorialized in student-built home
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- The 2026 Team Pasco home was dedicated to the legacy of teacher John Marshall.
- The 2,016‑square‑foot Pasco home at 8802 Dusty Maiden Drive is listed for $534,900.
- The Pasco board awarded $16,250 in scholarships to at least 10 students this year.
David “John” Marshall never got to see his beloved construction students — with their blood, sweat and tears — hammer the final nail into Team Pasco’s 2026 home building project.
But his mother would.
On Thursday, under a heavy beat of Tri-City sun, flanked by rows of bright-eyed Pasco high school students, the elder Helen Marshall accepted a commemorative wooden plaque in honor of the teacher whose endless encouragements and passion touched hundreds.
“I’m overwhelmed, I’m overwhelmed,” said Marshall, 90, of Anacortes. “I wouldn’t miss this occasion for the world because, John, this was his whole heart and soul. He loved his students, they loved him, and he talked about it all the time.”
“We were all less because of his passing,” she continued, “but he always said to me, ‘I just want to leave my mark,’ and, boy, did he ever.”
The 2026 Team Pasco Home project — constructed by dozens of students from Pasco High School, Chiawana High School and Sageview High School — was dedicated this week to the memory and legacy of John Marshall, who died Dec. 30. He was 56.
Marshall taught mathematics and science at Anacortes Middle School for 18 years before moving to the dry side of the state. He found his passion in Pasco’s construction trades program as an instructor.
He took immense pride in his students and their accomplishments, Helen Marshall said. He loved teaching, was a natural at it, and looked after his kids.
“He cared about them. He was definitely a kid himself,” she said. “He understood them and he had empathy for all of them — and they could feel it... They could talk to him about anything, and he would listen and help them.”
The unique program provides hard-working high school students in the Pasco School District hands-on experience, trades skills, employment connections and scholarships each year through home construction. Students work through hot and cold days to deliver a new home by the spring to show off their craftsmanship.
This year’s house is the 26th to be built in 29 years. It’s located at 8802 Dusty Maiden Drive in Pasco.
The 2,016-square-foot, single-floor home features three bedrooms, three bathrooms, a covered patio, and a study and flex area all in an open concept. Century 21 Real Estate listed it for sale at $534,900.
Each Team Pasco house receives an installed plaque to recognize the work of students. This year’s will commemorate Marshall’s impact on Tri-City students, and a similar plaque was given to his mother.
In an interview, Helen Marshall called the program “incredible,” and said she is proud of the whole district and especially the legacy that her son has left behind.
“It was so heartwarming,” she said, adding that she’s met many of his students over the last few years. “You know, they really, really appreciated him, and it really warmed my heart. I feel so embraced by this whole community here, and I think that’s on John’s shirttails. It means a lot.”
Laura Jones, career and technical education director at Pasco School District, characterized Marshall as a “very charismatic character that had such a heart of gold.” He was posthumously awarded the 2025 Citizen of the Year award by the Tri-City Association of Realtors earlier this year.
“He just had thought he’d found his dream job. Really, it’s hard to find someone that can teach as well as understand all the aspects of a construction project,” she said.
This was the second home Chiawana junior Alex Birrueta worked on through the program. He remembers getting the phone call that Marshall had passed during winter break. He’d never lost someone who had such a profound impact on his life before.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. “I called his cell phone number, his friend answered saying it was true. It was crazy, I couldn’t believe it.”
But many teachers, including Chris Lambert, stepped up to make sure the students could finish the job.
Birrueta said the program teaches so many skills, from the importance of teamwork to the expertise of what it takes to build homes. Marshall was the conduit for students’ education, who believed and pushed students to bring their best to the site every day.
“He taught us skills that go beyond construction — he taught us responsibility and how to take pride in our work,” Birrueta said. “Even after his passing in December, his influence has remained here and will continue to do so.”
Birrueta is a Running Start student, and plans to attend Central Washington University to study construction management after high school.
Since 1999, the Pasco Vocational Buildings Program Board has awarded more than $290,000 in scholarships to students pursuing post-high school education, careers in the skilled trades or to purchase tools. The board this year awarded $16,250 to at least 10 students.
Marshall left behind two children — son David “Max” Marshall and daughter Luciava Marshall — his younger brother Ian Marshall, and several other relatives.
Helen Marshall said she is excited to attend next year’s ceremony celebrating the completion of the 27th house, and to continue recognizing students’ hard work.
