“He was the real deal - I want to be more of a friend, man, dad, husband, actor, Christian that Marcel was”


I consider Marcel White to be one of my best friends, and I realised, hearing the tributes at his beautiful funeral, that each person who spoke felt like that. Marcel had the ability to make you feel like number one in the room. He always, always had time for you, no matter what, and he cared deeply. 

He lived his life on fire, and you were drawn to the blaze to see what fuelled the flame. It was Jesus. You wanted to see Marcel just so you could debate some theology or wrestle with some issue; he’d meet it with passion and never hold any punches but seasoned it all with grace. His joy was exuberant, his laugh made you feel like the funniest person in the world and made you work out what you needed to do to make it happen again. I saw him perform when he personally felt on top of the world and when he didn’t, and he always had this ability to give 150%. When he performed you sat a little further on the edge of your seat and didn’t want to take your eyes off him. From a salsa dancing Feliz Navidad to a fire and brimstone, indulgence selling John Tetzel, to a roguish, antagonistic Rogers, to an authentic, personable Jesus, Marcel had the acting versatility to put his hand to anything. 

He was the real deal - I want to be more of a friend, man, dad, husband, actor, Christian that Marcel was. An unforgettable man. His legacy will live on and in the midst of grieving we will always celebrate his life.

Read more about Marcel Clifton White.

Ben Kessell