Marcus Webb Asay

Marcus Webb Asay was born on October 30, 1955, to Carlos Egan Asay and Colleen Webb Asay, in Provo, Utah. A long-time resident of Fresno, California, Marcus died on January 25, 2026, having lived to 70 years of age.

Marcus has been predeceased by Carlos Egan Asay (1999), Colleen Webb Asay (2009), and his two older brothers, Carlos Jr. (1948) and James Edward Asay (2015). He is survived by his siblings Marcianne “Marci” Asay, Brent Ellis Asay, Clair Fred Asay (Jill), Timothy Lyle Asay (Jennifer), and Carleen “Buffy” Seljaas (Gary).

Marcus is survived by his seven children: Marcus “MJ” Jr. (Nicole), Jenny Wilson (Jonathan), Jasmin Bowers (Brandon), David (Kira), Anthony (Leonor), Micah (Keisha), June Hinckley (Bryant). He is also survived by twenty-three grandchildren.

Marcus grew up and attended public schools in Murray, Utah (Longview Elementary, Hillcrest Junior High), Provo, Utah (Farrer Junior High, Provo High), and Dallas, Texas (Northwood Junior High, Richardson High). In his teen scholastics, Marcus excelled in public speaking, distinguishing himself as a gifted speaker in school and at church. His ninth-grade speech class at Northwood Junior High marked his early success in speaking. He participated in a couple of regional speech tournaments, going against ninth graders from other schools, and performed very well.

During the three years the Asay family lived in Dallas, 1970-73, Marcus gave numerous speeches in church, at the Dallas Fourth Ward. His speeches were the stuff of legend, the most memorable one when he won an MIA (Youth Activity Night) speech contest. The contestants each had to choose a fictitious civic or political office to run for and deliver a campaign speech to win over voters. Mom suggested to Marcus that he run for city dog catcher, but he thought it better to pursue a church position. So, daringly, humorously, and boldly, he stood at a stage microphone and announced that he was running for Relief Society President of the Dallas Fourth Ward, giving campaign promises that defied all church logic yet superbly entertained the speech contest audience–a campaign speech for the ages. Ward sisters who had witnessed and who actually belonged to the Dallas Fourth Ward Relief Society burst out in waves of laughter. He won their vote.

In Provo, Utah, in 1974, Marcus graduated from Provo High School.

Marcus loved his family heritage. Shortly before he left on a mission for the LDS Church in 1975, he received a letter from his Grandpa Lyle Asay, whom Marcus loved and revered. In the letter Grandpa Asay touched upon the “spiritual athlete.” He told Marcus that even though he was not accomplished in sports as an athlete in his growing-up years, there was nothing to stop him from becoming a great “spiritual athlete,” one accomplished in the spiritual things that really matter. During 1975-77, Marcus served a two-year LDS mission in the California Arcadia Mission. As a very faithful and valiant missionary, he was instrumental in God’s hands in leading many to conversion and the waters of baptism, setting the then mission record for the number of baptisms by a missionary. He also served as an assistant to the mission president. Indeed, Marcus lived up to the empowering and inspiring words from his Grandpa, personifying that “spiritual athlete” of which his Grandpa had spoken.

In 1980, Marcus graduated from Sacramento State College with a degree in business. He then went on to graduate, in 1982, from Thunderbird International Business College, in Phoenix, Arizona, with an MBA degree.

Marcus successfully worked in a number of capacities during his long career in the business field, taking on the various roles of business organizer, consultant, entrepreneur, promoter, and owner. Employees loved working for him.

Marcus suffered a job loss early in his career, despite having contributed mightily to the growth and success of his employer, and his coming up with promotion ideas that helped thrive the business. His work was stellar, and he had proven himself innovative, creative, and a diligent and reliable worker. The job loss was highly unfair, made worse by his being discriminated against based on his physical disability, and by co-workers taking credit for some of his ideas and work product, during his time with this particular employer.

Deflated, Marcus turned to his Dad for advice. After listening to Marcus’s bad news, Dad in effect said, “Forget them. You’re talented, smart, driven, and ambitious, and you should just put this experience behind you, and move forward on your own, even create your own successful business. Make your own mark. Rise up, take the bull by the horns, and move on.” Marcus took these words to heart. He did take the bull by the horns and, like a shining undaunted matador, slammed that beast to the ground, emerging victorious, as he marched on to numerous successes throughout the remainder of his business career.

Along the way, Marcus served as an LDS Bishop in Bakersfield, California, from 1990-91. Although a short stint as a ward bishop, under his leadership the ward grew by leaps and bounds, and many converts increased the ward’s membership.

Marcus grew up playing basketball, held back from thriving as a player and making a school team only by the effects of a chronic physical disability. So, he sought enjoyment of the game by watching games live or on T.V. He enjoyed watching sports in general. He enjoyed competing with his Dad and brothers in games of horse, in which he would show off his back-to-the-basket, over-the-right-shoulder finger roll which caused entertainment and laughs galore.

Marcus loved listening to music. He enjoyed his rock favorites the Beatles, Santana, and The Moody Blues. He also loved watching movies in theaters and at home.

Marcus loved and cherished his father and mother, brothers and sisters, children and grandchildren.

Words and phrases used by children, nephews, and nieces of Marcus to describe him: A fighter. Determined. Relentless. Passionate. Driven. Very much a people person. Charismatic. Funny. Kind. Warm. Giving. His personality would light up a room. Very likeable. A great sense of humor. Entertainer. He had a great laugh and loved to make others laugh. Fun to be around. He tried to do good by other people. Made people around him feel important.

Multitudes of people are better for having known Marcus Webb Asay, Champion of the Underdog. We forever love him and treasure his legacy.

Love you, Brother.

The Asay family extends its utmost gratitude to Livi Figueroa of Fresno, California, for being caretaker of Marcus for the last ten years.

A graveside service to honor Marcus Webb Asay is scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 1:00 PM, in Monroe, Utah, at the Monroe Cemetery.