Honorable Judge Marshall Paul

Young

The Honorable Marshall Paul Young

Judge Marshall Paul Young passed away November 4th, 2026. He had recently celebrated his 90th birthday. His last days, like his extraordinary life, were spent surrounded by his family whom he loved deeply. Marshall was born on August 31st, 1936, to Florence Alice Bellamy and Marshall Lawrence Young. From that moment forward he embarked on a grand adventure of service and love.

Marshall started his first job at Reptile Gardens when he was nine years old. Among his greatest life influences, mentor, and friend, was Earl Brocklesby the founder of Reptile Gardens. Working at “The Gardens” instilled in Marshall a work ethic that he kept for his entire life. While at Reptile Gardens, Marshall was a bumper boy, alligator wrestler, and snake handler. Marshall's relationship with, and love of, Reptile Gardens continued for the remainder of his life. He and Earl traveled together throughout Mexico and Central America, as well as a trip to New Guinea to bring back a giant crocodile.

When Marshall was a young man, his greatest ambition was to become a tour bus driver for his grandfather's company Black Hills Tour and Transportation, or a professional baseball player. Fortunately, his uncle James Bellamy was a county judge and encouraged Marshall to follow that path instead. Marshall attended the University of Iowa and was a huge supporter of the Hawkeyes. He earned his law degree at the University of Arizona in 1961.

Marshall returned to Rapid City, hung up his own shingle, and in 1964 ran for Pennington County judge. He served as a county judge for eight years and later as a state court judge for 26 years. During that time, he served as Presiding Judge of the 7th circuit. Marshall worked diligently to reform the juvenile justice system in the state of South Dakota, and later served as the president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges. He held their judicial conference in Rapid City 1991. During that conference he consented to getting back into the alligator pit and resumed his alligator wrestling career in front of his judicial colleagues. Marshall joked that he had two practice rounds before the conference and ended up with one victory and one loss. Going into the finals it was a toss-up.

Marshall served his community outside of the courtroom as well. He was instrumental in launching the program that became the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program, he also started the Child Advocacy Program to help families going through divorces, and, along with his friends Al Scovel and Stephen Manlove, founded the Wellspring program. He also served as a faculty member for the National Judicial College for more than 20 years.

Marshall was appointed to the federal bench as a United States Magistrate in 1992 and served the U.S. government for 15 years. In 2004 Marshall was awarded the Fred J. Nichol Award for Outstanding Jurist.

He enjoyed spending time at his family cabin where we celebrated birthdays, weddings, christenings, graduations, holidays, and funerals. Marshall loved traveling, and most of all spending time with his family. He was a man of many talents. He was a champion sailor, talented cook, and extraordinary wood worker.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years Brenda Young, children Trilby Christopher (Kelly), William Young (Jamie), Quentin Danley (Misty), Jeremy Danley (Dawn), grandchildren Nicole, Janelle, Marshall, Owen, Kathryn, Grace, Ethan, Lauren, LaRiesha, Mariah, Zachary, as well thirteen great grandchildren. In addition to his immediate family, he leaves behind his mother-in-law, Remelda Edelen, and a large extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends who will remember him fondly.

Marshall was predeceased by his parents Florence and Marshall, his sister Alice, his former wife Elizabeth, and his oldest son James Bellamy.

The family would like to extend special gratitude to the staff at Clarkson Health Care as well as the Monument Health Hospice Team. A private celebration of life will be held in early summer 2027.

In lieu of flowers please consider donations to the Seventh Circuit CASA program or to Working Against Violence (WAVI) Inc.