North Myrtle Beach Pickleball Community: A beloved member of North Myrtle Beach’s pickleball group, Steve Marshall, died on April 4 after a crash involving a suspected drunk driver. The accident happened in Little River, South Carolina, as Marshall rode his motorcycle. His pickleball teammates are now grieving the sudden loss.
Marshall, 62, was hit by a vehicle while riding near Sea Mountain Highway. Kayla Tisdale, 36, allegedly drove under the influence and hit Marshall. She was arrested and charged with DUI, leaving the scene, and child endangerment. Tisdale is currently being held without bail.
Community Shock and Grief
On April 7, the gym at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center was silent. The usual sound of pickleballs was replaced by mourning. When Marshall’s wife, Deb Marshall, entered the gym, all play stopped.
“She came through that door, everyone dropped their paddles and came over to give her a hug. There was no more pickleball played,” said player Bill Wishart.
Wishart said players had spent the weekend reaching out to each other in shock.
“There was a lot of crying this weekend. Everybody knew about it very quickly,” he said.
On Monday, players set up a small tribute. Flowers, a signed pickleball, and a sign were placed on his bench. It read, “Rest in peace Steve. You will be missed.”
Deborah Love summed up the group’s emotions: “Discombobulated, like untethered. Just trying to find our footing.”
A Life of Service and Joy
Marshall moved to Myrtle Beach after retiring as a police officer. He had worked with the Bethlehem Police Department in Pennsylvania and served as police chief at DeSales University.
Pickleball player Keith Fane, also a retired officer, shared a bond with him.
“It wasn’t until someday somebody said, ‘Oh, you cops stick together or something,’ and then we had this, like instant bond,” Fane said.
They often shared stories from their police days. Fane recalled Marshall’s role as a motorcycle cop.
“From what I recall, the motorcycle was the best thing that he ever did,” Fane said.
Marshall’s red motorcycle was a regular sight outside the gym before practice.
A Teammate and Friend
Players said Marshall had a dry sense of humor and was part of the group’s “peanut gallery.” He didn’t yell, but he encouraged others to do so.
“He sort of egged the peanut gallery on,” said Vickie Hamann.
He was also a skilled player. He placed second in his last tournament and held his own against much younger players. He began playing in 2023 and soon brought his wife along to join the fun.
“Steve was gonna play with you, whether you were a novice or the best player, he would always play,” Hamann said.
Lasting Tribute: North Myrtle Beach Pickleball Community
To honor Marshall, Sandy Barker organized a collection to plant a tree with a plaque outside the community center. The group plans to remember Marshall not only as a teammate but as a kind, supportive person who made their mornings brighter.
News in Brief
Steve Marshall, a beloved North Myrtle Beach pickleball player and retired police officer, died April 4 after being hit by a suspected drunk driver. The community is mourning his loss with tributes and plans to plant a memorial tree. He was known for his kindness, humor, and strong sportsmanship.
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