David Christopher Marsden

David C. Marsden passed away at age 64 on October 15, 2021, surrounded by his loving family at home after a 10-month battle with T-cell lymphoma.  David approached his prognosis with a strong determination to overcome the disease and spend more time with his family and friends that he cherished so much.  And, while he is physically no longer with us, his kindness, love for life and wit lives on in the hearts and minds of everyone who knew him.

Born to parents Don and Mary Marsden in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he spent the majority of his youth and early adulthood in Hagerstown, Maryland.  He attended the University of Maryland studying photojournalism and landed a job at The Prince George’s Journal in Washington, D.C., which helped to shape his career and spurred his lifelong appreciation for taking and collecting photographs.

In 1982, two friends encouraged David to take a journey to Houston, Texas, and he joined them on the long, long road trip with just $750 in his back pocket.  He found work at Houston Camera Exchange and quickly surrounded himself with like-minded colleagues who would become lifelong friends.

David and a business partner decided to hang out their own shingle in 1989, opening Camera Co-op in Montrose which became a hub for photographers and printmaking enthusiasts.  In 2011, David retired and explored his many interests and hobbies that brought him joy. 

Always a lover of music, he was an avid mandolin player and guitar collector.  Many evenings were spent playing music with dear friends and his mandolin always traveled with him on family vacations.  David preferred riding on two wheels rather than four, and he traversed the city on his Vespa scooter or Harley Davidson motorcycles regularly.  He relished the companionship of his fellow riders in the Houston Scooter Battalion and the British Motorcycle Owners Association.  He was also a skilled woodworker and crafted small furniture pieces, shelving units and boxes, using different types of wood, tools and techniques.

David was a devoted family man and made a huge impact on the lives of those who loved him dearly.  He met his wife Christina at an Iggy Pop concert in the early ‘90’s and the couple’s shared zest for life and common values rooted their marriage of nearly 28 years. Nothing made David prouder than the family he built with Christina. Their two children, Mitchell and Katie, were the center of his world and he instilled his wisdom and wit in each of them, carrying his legacy forward in their own lives.

He is also survived by his brothers Jeff Marsden from Arizona, Kyle Marsden (Shelby) from Maryland, Sean Marsden (Heather) from Virginia and sister Laura Strunk (Scott) from Pennsylvania, father-in-law Ron Fash and stepmother-in-law Leah Fash from Houston, stepfather-in-law George Johnson of Houston, brothers-in-law Ron Fash (Debbie) of Houston, Bob Fash (Kelly) of Houston, sister-in-law Julie Falcon (Bobby) of Houston, stepbrother-in-law Jack Carnegie (Lynda) of Houston, and stepsister-in-law Elisa Carnegie (Chuck) of Round Rock.  Among these two families, David had many nieces and nephews.

The family will host a gathering and reception celebrating David's life at Bradshaw-Carter Memorial & Funeral Services, 1734 W. Alabama St. in Houston, from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. on October 22, 2021, with a memorial service beginning at 5:00 p.m. In celebration of David and his penchant for the color green, the family suggests that green be worn to his service.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in memory of David so they may further their research in finding a cure.  The family also wishes to acknowledge the dedication and care that David received by the team at MD Anderson Cancer Center. Individuals may also choose to donate blood in honor of David at the MD Anderson Blood Bank to help cancer patients in need of this critical resource for their recovery.