Royal Marshall, key part of Neal Boortz’s radio team, has passed
Royal Marshall, with his boss Neal Boortz, at the March of Dimes Achievement in Radio Awards in December, 2010. There, Boortz was given a lifetime achievement award. SOURCE: boortz.com
Raymond Royal Marshall, a crucial cog on syndicated talk show host Neal Boortz’s radio team as a sidekick and engineer, has died.
Pete Spriggs, program director for AM750 and now 95.5 FM News/Talk WSB, said he collapsed at his Atlanta home and was pronounced dead at Grady Hospital at about 1 a.m. early Saturday morning.
Assistant Program Director Condace Pressley said it was too soon to pinpoint cause of death. He was 43.
“He was a good man,” she said. “I can’t believe he’s gone.”
Marshall worked with WSB Radio for 17 years, according to the WSB Radio biography for Marshall.
Here’s the print edition story about Marshall that ran in Sunday’s paper.
UPDATE (Monday, January 17, 2010 at 10 a.m.): WSB Radio said Marshall had a fatal heart attack Saturday. His funeral service will be held at Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur Saturday at 11 a.m. It’s open to the public. WSB aired a tribute to Marshall Monday morning. Boortz announced the death of Marshall to his national syndicated network listeners at 10 a.m. Erick Erickson subbed in for Boortz today. Boortz said he will be back on air Tuesday morning live.
A St. Louis native and graduate of the University of Georgia in 1992, he got his start at WSB Radio as a board operator working overnights. Soon after, he joined Boortz as engineer and board operator.
In 1996, he started his own radio talk show called “The Royal Treatment,” which ran for several years, mostly at night.
After his show ended, he continued to work with Boortz, who is heard on hundreds of stations nationwide.
“There are no words available to express my personal sense of loss at the passing of Royal Marshall,” Boortz said in a statement released this morning. “It’s no stretch to say that I loved that man like he was my own brother. Royal had an unmatched sense of humor and a quick mind that made him a natural for radio, and his dedication to his colleagues and friends was only exceeded by his intense dedication to his family. Our program, WSB Radio and the entire Cox family has lost part of its very soul this day.”
“He was always upbeat, always in a good mood,” said Mark Arum, a traffic reporter for WSB Radio for 13 years. “He was always there with a quick line. We were always each other’s sounding board. He was always ready to lend a friendly and understanding ear.”
Rahul Bali, Marshall’s producer from 1998 to 2005, said he watched Marshall mature from happy-go-lucky bachelor to devoted father and community member. “He just grew up,” he said.
Marshall was a deacon at the Ray of Hope Christian Church in Decatur and chair of the national advisory board at Forever Family, a non-profit organization which helps children who have parents who are incarcerated.
Marshall also dabbled in stand-up comedy at the Punchline for a few years. “He had an easy way with people and was very comfortable with the mike,” said Jamie Bendall, who owns the Punchline. “I thought he was a natural.”
WSB Radio announced the sad news at noon today. The station then held a moment of silence on air for Marshall before airing a special hour of Boortz’s show in honor of Marshall afterwards. If you’d like to sign the ajc.com guestbook, here is the link. You can read WSB Radio’s story here.
In that WSB Radio story, executive producer Belinda Skelton said: “For 15 years it’s been ‘Royal and Belinda. My other half is gone. I don’t know if I can sit and look at someone else on the other side of that glass.”
The station did tributes all afternoon. Arum and Clark Howard joined Adam Goldfein to take calls and reminisce.
Marshall is survived by his wife Annette and two daughters, two-year-old Ava and four-year-old Amira.
Marshall performing at the Punchline. SOURCE: Marshall's MySpace page
And here’s a photo of Marshall with his wife Annette from the Clark Howard roast from 2005, from Marshall’s MySpace page:
And WSB passed along this photo of him at a Fair Tax Rally:
Join my Facebook fan page and Twitter.
By Rodney Ho, rho@ajc.com, AJCRadioTV blog
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880 comments Add your comment
A
January 15th, 2011
1:54 pm
Just damn. RIP Royal. You will be missed
Keoni
January 15th, 2011
1:54 pm
I have enjoyed Boortz and Royal’s bantering for years from my days in Hawaii to my relocation to Georgia. This is truly a tough loss.
Vann
January 15th, 2011
1:55 pm
How sad . . . I truly enjoyed his comments and quips on the Neal Boortz show, and I often wondered what his facial expressions were when Boortz gets really wound up.
While I did not know Royal personally, like Royal, I grew up in a military family and I felt a kindship with him all of us Military Brats have with each other.
My heart goes out to his family and those whose lives he touched.
Lori Emmons
January 15th, 2011
1:55 pm
I am so very sad about Royal’s passing. Why do the good die young?
LisaCampbell
January 15th, 2011
1:55 pm
It’s interesting how we have home families and work families…and Royal became the brother I never had – both in the studio of WSB and outside of it. He loved LIFE, and his wife and daughters immensely. I watched him grow up physically and spiritually – and will share what I know for sure – he’d found happiness and peace. His passing has makes it clear that noTHING matters, except sharing with the people you love. RoyalT and I shared the sentiment often. I’ll miss him. Just DAMN.
Jake_G
January 15th, 2011
1:56 pm
I feel like I’ve lost a personal friend today, and I never got the opportunity to meet him. RIP RM
Lavonne Martin
January 15th, 2011
1:56 pm
Listening to his comeback to Neal Bortz’s questions and comments, always elicited a chuckle. “What you think Royal?’ is a question that will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and daughters.
Loyal listeners
Lisa
January 15th, 2011
1:56 pm
I am so sad to hear of Royal’s passing! Here’s to a good man that NEVER backed down from anyone! We will miss you friend!
ATLVOL
January 15th, 2011
1:56 pm
God Bless his family….Atlanta Radio has truly lost a class act. He will be greatly missed.
Thanksforsharing
January 15th, 2011
1:57 pm
Thanks Marshall family for sharing him with all of us. I loved the Royal Treatment. Neal your show will go on, but it will never be as good as it once was.
JOHNNY 5
January 15th, 2011
1:57 pm
What is it with u liberals taking pot shots at Neal on the day of the death of his coullege. Acumen of the pond, and plauge of America.
Kyle
January 15th, 2011
1:59 pm
What a shock. My prayers go out to Royal’s family. How sad. May God bless Annette, Amira and Ava. If you need anything, let Mr. Boortz know and I’m sure it will be provided.
Mick Fisher
January 15th, 2011
1:59 pm
A huge loss ! Life is but a vapor !
Elisa
January 15th, 2011
2:00 pm
I was in total shock to hear this news today. My sincere prayers and deep condolences to his family.
Cheryl Simpson
January 15th, 2011
2:00 pm
Gone too soon! A loss like this is so shocking. I will miss hearing Royal’s voice as he comments on the Boortz Show. I will keep him and his loved ones in my prayers.
Carla
January 15th, 2011
2:01 pm
I am so sorry to hear of this. Terribly sad! Peace be with his family, both on and off the air.
sands
January 15th, 2011
2:01 pm
We think of Neal as the meat and the potatoes of the show, but it was Royal who was the dessert. We celebrate his life as we mourn his passing.
E. Guy
January 15th, 2011
2:02 pm
I will never forgot those days when Royal was a DJ at O’Malley’s in Athens while at UGA. Always a happy and enjoyable individual at all times! You will be dearly missed on WSB-Radio and our community. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Rest in peace my good man.
Danielle
January 15th, 2011
2:02 pm
This is horrible news. JUST DAMN.
Rebecca
January 15th, 2011
2:03 pm
I have listened to Neal, Royal and Belinda banter for over 10 years…that show will never be the same again. Royal will be missed greatly! My condolences to his family.
Karen
January 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
Nobody knows when it’s their time to go. Suddenly, it just happens. Even if you are lying in a hospital, just knowing you are going, you never know when. Not even then. So, we all need to be ready… Our souls need to know and love God. I believe Royal’s soul was ready, but he just didn’t want to leave those two little girls… My heart is breaking today. May you rest in the Arms of Jesus, Royal, and be in His kingdom forever and ever. I hope to meet you there some day.
Richard Smith
January 15th, 2011
2:04 pm
Sherri and I are in shock. He was a delightful, and insightful person. What a tragedy for his family. He will be missed by all who listened to the show and knew the special person he was. To Neal and Belinda, and all his coworkers, what a loss. To this city, it is like losing a family member who always made you smile.
T. Robinson
January 15th, 2011
2:05 pm
For those who knew Royal T, he was the kindest, and funniest guy one could ever meet. Opinionated, Original, and one of a kind. The Boortz show gave him a start, but Royal used his skills to carry himself much further.
Our deepest sympathies to his lovely family, and the WSB family. But I thank my blessings for the time we ALL were able to enjoy his company, his attitude, and his sharing this time on this earth.
God Bless Royal T.
OedipusTax
January 15th, 2011
2:06 pm
Royal was such an asset for the show. Sorry to hear the news.
sad listener
January 15th, 2011
2:07 pm
The world isn’t quite as bright without Royal. He was a ‘class act’. Definitely had a great voice and quick wit. Best wishes to his family and all that knew him.
Rick
January 15th, 2011
2:08 pm
It’s a very sad day for the community. Especially a community that needs a man like Royal. His voice, laugh and banter with his colleagues will be greatly missed by those listening to the airwaves. I am sure that Neal and Belinda are both in extreme shock as their friend is gone. Despite how you feel about conservative radio please be kind and keep the comments only to condolences.
Crosscut
January 15th, 2011
2:12 pm
RIP. A fine American gone.
82Dawg
January 15th, 2011
2:13 pm
RIP Royal!! God bless his wife and daughters..
oldfart
January 15th, 2011
2:16 pm
Way too young, perhaps his family will take some solace that it was a life well lived. His love of life, wife and family came across even when he was not directly addressing them. Trite perhaps but in this case appropriate, damn, just damn.
MeaneyMouse
January 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
I never cared for Boortz and didn’t listen to him. Listened to TheRoyalTreatment (from the Florida PanHandle in Marrianna,Florida) show from beginning to end. When his show was no longer on the air I stopped listening to WSB. Rest in Peace, MyBrother & fellow Deacon. May God keep and comfort your family.
Just Dayyyyuuuuuuummmmmmmm!!
Dondee
January 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
I was driving to visit my mother when Condace Pressley made the announcement….At first I thought it was Neal who passed and was in total and complete shock when I heard that it was Royal. I have listened to Neal since I was 12 and on WRNG radio and came to love Royal and Belinda when they joined the Boortz show. Royal’s wit and sly laughter will be missed. God bless Royal and his dear family as well as radio family.
Jeff Annis
January 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
Royal was fine man. I only spent 9 hours with him back in October of 2009 doing some radio station business and some golf with Boortz. It was a very great day for me. Royal was delightful. He was fun, unassuming, and played a decent round of golf. He won one of the nines and Boortz won the other 9, and seeing them compete in such a friendly was nice. He had a great humor and was an interesting person to talk to. I am very sad for his family and friends. I am also sad because I planned on seeing him again down this way sometime this year or next.
ParkingDawg
January 15th, 2011
2:17 pm
Stunned and saddened. It feels as though I have lost a friend, and I never knew Royal personally. My prayers go out for Royal’s wife and daughter, and the entire WSB family. Atlanta radio has lost one of it’s finest.
Michael
January 15th, 2011
2:18 pm
It is indeed a shock. Royal, we considered you a friend and you will be surely missed.
Dj Herb
January 15th, 2011
2:18 pm
My prayers go out to his family and all that know him. He will continue to live on in our hearts….
deb
January 15th, 2011
2:19 pm
R.I.P. The world just got a little dark, you will be missed. What a great guy and wonderful radio personality,
Cathy Balke
January 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
I didn’t know you, Royal, but I will certainly miss you. May God bless your family with peace and comfort.
DevotedListener
January 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
Wow–completely shocked. All I can hear is “Royal and Belinda.” So, so very sad. Praying for his family during this time…I can imagine they desperately will need it. RIP.
Matt
January 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
I enjoyed listening to Royal. What a shocking loss. My condolences to those close to him.
Flash Gordon
January 15th, 2011
2:23 pm
My deepest condolences to the family and friends of Royal. He will be missed.
Royal, Belinda, and Neil were much like a three legged stool with each of them doing the job of supporting the others. It will take a long time to find a replacement that will match the others in making it’s total usefulness work as great as it has for so many years.
Glen Pridgen
January 15th, 2011
2:24 pm
Although we never met, I feel like Royal was a personal friend of mine. I am sending many prayers to Royal’s family and friends.
CmdrR
January 15th, 2011
2:26 pm
Deepest condolences to his wife and daughters. Royal was an important, sober and tempering force in the show and he will be missed.
Stan
January 15th, 2011
2:26 pm
So sad!! I can’t believe it and he was only 43. I enjoyed his comments on the show, truly a voice of reason.
MediaHead
January 15th, 2011
2:28 pm
I will miss Royal, his antics and his comments to keep Neal in check, with his famous :Just Damn”, and Neal saying Royal what’s on later tonight Bulldog BS, Royal – yea BS!!!
Dawn
January 15th, 2011
2:28 pm
I’ve listened to Royal for years and thoroughly enjoyed the Royal Treatment. Atlanta has grown dimmer as an obviously devoted husband, father and fine citizen is gone. I extend my deepest sorrow to his lovely wife and girls. God be with you now and evermore. Earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal.
Zach
January 15th, 2011
2:29 pm
So sad to hear of Royal’s passing. I really enjoyed listening to him alongside Boortz. God’s peace to Royal’s family and friends as they mourn his passing.
Proud Conservative
January 15th, 2011
2:29 pm
It is with shock and sadness to hear this news about the passing of Royal. As I sit here writing this my heart is hurting. I cannot even imagine the hurt of Royal’s family, Neal, Belinda and all his friends at WSB Radio. My prayers are with all suffering with his passing. We will meet again, friend.
Hugh
January 15th, 2011
2:30 pm
So sorry to hear this news. It’s like losing a member of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and the WSB team.
matty
January 15th, 2011
2:30 pm
What a shame. We will miss u Royal.
ld
January 15th, 2011
2:33 pm
What a shock and how very sad. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.