Marshall Benton Cain, Sr.

Marshall Benton Cain, Sr., born on December 29, 1942, in Wallace, NC, passed away peacefully on Monday, May 26, 2025.

He was a proud graduate of NC State University “Go Pack” in 1965. He began his career with Caterpillar Industries in NC and VA, in various divisions throughout his 37-year career. He was instrumental in the development of the use of CAT generators to power Hatteras yachts, designing and selling generators to power systems to maintain critical consistent power for hospitals, banking, as well as for embassies in the US and abroad. His broad understanding of what was required to supply critical power was amazing and his reputation throughout the industry was well known.

In his later years, Marshall started relic hunting after his grown children gave him a Nautilus metal detector as a Father’s Day gift. He was lucky enough to unearth several unusual, rare and unique items.

Marshall was preceded in death by his parents, Marshall Cain and Mary Margaret Benton Cain, as well as a sister, Jane Cain Collins.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 40 years, Sandra Sue Pope Cain; his son, Marshall Cain, Jr. (Janet) of Lillington, NC; his daughter, Valerie C. Stark (Sam) of Holly Springs, NC; stepsons, Jeffrey “Todd” Ellis (Gina), and Mark Anthony Ellis (Rachel), both of Statesville; grandchildren, Ben Ellis, Hannah Suarez (Ethan), Josh Ellis (Kendall), Elizabeth Cain, Kaden Cain, Carrington Stark, and Adler Stark; and four great-grandchildren.

A private family service for Marshall will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625.

Troutman Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cain family.