Marlin Haston, 93, passed away on January 1, 2022. He was born September 5, 1928, Spencer (Van Buren County) of the late R.C. Haston Sr. and Etta (Smith) Haston.

In 1956 Marlin and his wife Imogene moved to Cumberland County. Marlin was the 4H agent. He believed in the 4H program and felt it was a pathway for youth to learn and grow into productive, successful adults. He coached the State 4H Livestock Judging team. Members of this were Jim Bohannon, Tom Looney, and Jack Looney. This team went on to be Tennessee’s highest ever placing team at the national contest in Chicago. These young men carried the winning tradition to UT and became highly decorated collegiate livestock judges. This was the only national champion team that UT has ever had. He was a life-long supporter of 4H.

In 1959, Marlin made his final career move. He became a Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance agent. According to Imogene, he took a 50% salary cut when he left the Extension Service. He was willing to gamble on his tenacious work ethic, personable people skills, and dogged determination, to succeed and excel. He saw this as an opportunity to “change the financial future” for his family. From 400 family members in 1958 to 10,000+ at his retirement in 1990, he built the Farm Bureau Insurance, that Cumberland Countians see today.

Marlin was an active member in the community. He served on the Cumberland County Bank Board for 53 years. He was in the Kiwanis Club, served on the Cumberland Medical Center Board, Volunteer Electric Board, the University of Tennessee Agriculture Institute Board, and the Sons of The American Revolution. He believed in serving the people of the community.

He is survived by his son, David (Laura) Haston of Dandridge; daughter, Jean Ann Hall of Hartsville, and daughter-in-law Brenda Haston of Crossville; grandchildren, Brant (Alexis) Hall, Chreighton (Makayla) Hall, Hannah Haston, Luke Haston, Eric (Kasi) Brady, and Michelle Landrem; and great-grand-children, Craylyn Hall, Karsyn Hall, Stella Hall, Brant Hall II, Oaklyn Hall, Brylee Landrem, and Harper Landrem.

In addition to his parents, Marlin was preceded in death by his wife Imogene Haston; son, Jerry Haston; brother, RC. Haston Jr; and sister, Bobbi Jo Haston

A graveside service will be held at Green Acres Memory Gardens in Crossville TN.  at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 5, 2022. The procession will leave Bilbrey Funeral Home at 1:00 PM.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to TN 4-H Foundation, 2621 Morgan Cir Dr. STE 205, Knoxville, TN 37996 or Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom, P.O Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402-0313.