Donald M. Marquis

Donald M. "Don" Marquis (Born May 4, 1933, in Goshen, IN. Died July 29, 2021 at the age of 88 at Courtyard Healthcare Center in Goshen, IN) Mr. Marquis graduated from Goshen High School in 1951. He then served in the US Navy from 1951 to 1955. After being honorably discharged, he attended Goshen College where he received his Bachelor’s degree in English, in 1959. Following his graduation Don moved to Cleveland where he worked for American Greeting Cards from 1959-61. In March of 1962, he moved to New Orleans to pursue his interest in the history of jazz music. After being a proofreader for The New Orleans Times-Picayune and working at the New Orleans Public Library, he became curator at the Louisiana State Jazz Museum. After retiring he was named Curator Emeritus. Don was also an author and was proud of the two books he had published. One was on pioneer jazz musician Buddy Bolden. Another was “A Nifty Place to Grow Up” about his family’s neighbors on Gra-Roy Drive and nearby streets in Goshen. Marquis traveled to several countries on behalf of the New Orleans Jazz Museum. He was interviewed by TV documentarian Ken Burns for the PBS “Jazz” series. Don was a sports enthusiast, especially when it came to Notre Dame football.