Kirkbride Bible Co. Inc., CEO and Chairman of the Board, John Marshall Gage, age 82 peacefully departed from his long and full life on July 26, 2019 in Largo, FL and was formerly of Indianapolis, IN. He was born January 11, 1937 in Dallas, Texas to the late John H. Gage and Espicea (Ross) Gage. His career in business began in 1960 with the B. B. Kirkbride Bible Co., Inc where he became Director of Advertising and Sales Manager, 1970. Treasurer, 1980. Executive Vice President, 1988-2007. President and CEO, 1991-2007. In 2008 he continued as Chairman of the Kirkbride Board of Directors.
During his long and successful career with Kirkbride he served from 1978-1980 as Director and Advisor for the National Association of Credit Managers Book Publishers Division of the National Christian Book Publishers Credit Association. In two terms from 1980-1982 and 1985-1987 he served as Board Member of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association. In 1983-1986 he served as a Director on the CBA Exhibitor’s Association. In 1965 he founded Ga-Son Enterprises –now Ross-Gage, Inc. indexing Company and continued as part owner and officer until 2004. In 1984 he became part owner, Director and Secretary of Liberty Book & Bible Manufacturers. In 1986 he became a Trustee of the National Bible Association in New York City that Sponsor’s National Bible Week each year at Thanksgiving. He served as Secretary of the NBA until 2015. During his time at Kirkbride he and his wife Sonja traveled the world over with business friends to Moscow, Beijing China, London, Paris, Florence, Venice and Rome Italy, Frankfort, Germany, Australia, Singapore, and Hong Kong, attending Christian Book Fairs and promoting the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible.
As a devoted family man, he spent many hours and days with his two sons and five grandchildren attending their music and sports activities. He made friends with everyone he met and enjoyed life to its fullest every day. Marshall is survived by his loving wife Sonja of 59 years. His sons David Gage and his wife Diana, and Michael Gage and his wife Trish. His grandchildren Rachael Gage Jones (Lynn) and Ryan Gage, children of David and Diana. John Michael Gage, Jacob Gage and Emma Gage, children of Michael and Trish. Brother-in-Law Ronald Cinnamon and his wife Linda, niece Julie Christian, (Andy) and nephews Greg Cinnamon and Demian Gage, (Julie) and niece Leah Gage. He was preceded in death by his two brothers, Ross Gage and Stan Gage.
