Arthur Edward Marsh

Art Marsh passed away December 19, 2025 in Yakima, Washington. He was born in Yakima, Washington on March 8, 1928 to A. E. and Kathleen (Sainsbury) Marsh, the 5th of nine children.

Art attended St. Paul School and Marquette High School, graduating as valedictorian in 1946. After two years at Loyola University, he earned a B. A. in Economics from Gonzaga University in 1950. Drafted in 1950, Art served as a sergeant in the 12th Infantry Regiment of the U. S. Army in Germany.

In 1952, Art returned from Europe and began working for his father at Marsh Fruit Co. in Zillah, Washington. In 1954 he joined Washington Fruit & Produce. Art retired from Roche Fruit Company where he worked from 1970-1993. Art’s long career in the fruit business began as a young boy building thousands of wooden apple boxes. He served on the boards of the Tree Fruit Commission and the Chamber of Yakima Valley Growers & Shippers Assoc. He was a member of United Marketeers and Northwest Horticultural Council.

Art enjoyed golfing, skiing, crossword puzzles and later in life, his daily walks. Traveling with his family and spending time at their cabin in Cliffdell, Washington were favorite activities. He was a lifelong member of Elks Golf & Country Club and St. Paul Cathedral.

Art is survived by Joanne Margaret (Fortier), his loving wife of 71 years, their children Stephen (Ann), Patricia (Tom) St. George, Mary Marsh, Joan (Ken) Barrett, Ann (Tom) Drews, 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings Mary Shelley, John, Richard, Paul, Barbara, Kathleen Cavanaugh, Suzanne Ross, and Charles.

Art will be remembered as a loving and beloved husband, father and grandfather.

A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, 2026, at St. Paul Cathedral, 15 S 12th Ave., Yakima, WA 98902. Mass will be preceded by a Rosary Service at 10:30 a.m. A private burial in Calvary Cemetery will follow at a later date.

Memorials in his honor may be made to St. Paul Cathedral or the Union Gospel Mission, 1300 N 1st Street, Yakima, WA 98901. Keith & Keith Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.