Marcelle Thomas Wood

On Monday, July 19, 2021, Marcelle Thomas Wood, aka Soup, died in the presence of friends and in the arms of his wife Jessi.

Marcelle was born in Whitefish and spent his younger years in Santa Rosa, California, and his summers with family in Alabama. Roll Tide! He returned to the Flathead as a young adult to be with his mother, Elaine. His first job in the Flathead was at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. There Marcelle fell in love with the mountain culture, seasonal lifestyle, but above all his wife Jessica Spencer.

Jessi and Marcelle built their lives together on top of Blacktail Mountain and on the shores of Flathead Lake. The seasonal mountain lifestyle allowed Marcelle to bartend in the summers at many local breweries and restaurants where he worked his way into a management career. He led many young people with wit, patience, and a genuine desire to teach and inspire. The phrase people are repeating now is "Love you, mean it" and he always meant it.

Marcelle's life was shaped by his family. He and Jessica have two children who teach them each day about strength, humor, and simple love. Marcelle was an incredible father; he was strong and consistent, loving and true. Marcelle is survived by his father William and wife Christina, his brother Joshua Thomas, sister Anna, and Marcelle's own wife Jessica and their children Lucy and Aidan.

Marcelle was preceded in death by his mother, Elaine Price Wood. He leaves behind him an immense tribe of loved ones all over the country.

In the two years that Marcelle battled his terminal diagnosis, he received incredible care here in the Flathead and became a star in the cancer care and support community. No one has ever fought harder or with more grace. Marcelle referred to this time as his "retirement" and made sure to live with intention.

There will be a mountaintop memorial service on Saturday, Aug. 14, at 11 a.m. at Blacktail Mountain Ski Area. This will be an outdoor celebration. Bring camp chairs and memories to share with friends. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, you make a donation to your local chapter of Wings Cancer Support.

Friends are encouraged to visit the website www.buffalohillfh.com to leave notes of condolence for the family. Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.