J. Paxton Marshall was born in Akron, Ohio on July 31, 1922. He attended the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate, and pursued his M.A. and PhD. at Michigan State University. He began his teaching career in 1961, first at the University of Maryland (1961-1964) and then moving on to Virginia Tech. He was a faculty member in the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics for nearly 30 years (1967-1995). Over the course of his career, Marshall participated on numerous regional and national committees, most notably: Tobacco Marking Cost Study Committee (1989-1995), American Agricultural Economics Association Professional Activities Committee (1976-1978), Southern Extension Public Affairs Committee (1967-1987), and National Public Policy Education Committee (1962-1987). Marshall also served as a Technical Representative for the General Assembly of Virginia. Upon his retirement in 1995 Marshall was granted the title of Professor Emeritus by the Board of Visitors of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. He died June 16, 2000.