Paul A. Marsh

Paul A. Marsh was born in Baytown, Texas, on December 27, 1946, to Albert and Gertrude Marsh. Paul entered school at Cedar Bayou Elementary while the Cedar Bayou School was still an independent school district. In his second year, the Cedar Bayou District merged with G.C.C.I.S.D. Paul finished his elementary work and junior high years at Cedar Bayou. Here, he was known as a good all-around student. The American Legion Post No 323 presented him the American Legion Certificate of School Award for outstanding scholarship and service. Paul was a member of the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts of America.

He spent many hours boating and fishing with family members and friends on Cedar Bayou and Galveston Bay. He said he never became sea sick later when he was in the Navy because of his many excursions on the water around Baytown.

During his high school years Paul became a member of the National Honor Society, was a member of the Interact Club, and lettered in football in both his junior and senior year. Upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland. He left Baytown for the Academy on June 29, 1965, to begin four years of study and training. Here he earned his Bachelor of Science degree with a minor in Literature. On June 4, 1969, at his graduation, he also was appointed an Ensign in the United States Navy. His first assignment as a naval officer was aboard a destroyer with the Pacific fleet. He was given the rank of Lieutenant (junior grade) June 4, 1970, and the rank of Lieutenant (senior grade) on July 30, 1974.

He was re-assigned to the U. S. Army Language School, Monterey. CA, on June 10, 1971, to study the Vietnamese language. Paul then was assigned to the U. S. Naval Command Center in Saigon on Nov. 16, 1972 and left Vietnam in February, 1973.

Marsh was reassigned to the Naval Amphibious School at San Diego, CA. He resigned from the Navy on June 30, 1974, to pursue other interests. He returned to the Houston Area and went to work for Zapata both in Houston and London. Early in his adult years, he became ill and was unable to work thereafter.

Paul became a member of First Presbyterian Church at the age of twelve and is now a member of Faith Presbyterian Church after the merger of First Church and Westminister Church.

He was preceded in death by his father, Albert R. Marsh; grandfather, Paul Marsh; aunts, Jane Marsh, Ruth Smith and Amy Patton and an uncle, Woodrow Smith.

He is survived by his mother, Gertrude Smith Marsh; brother, Ron Marsh and his wife Glenna; Nephew Brennon Marsh and his wife Beverly and their two children, Matthew and Preston; niece, Courtney Marsh; half-sister, Sharon Ervin and numerous cousins. Also included in the family is Paul's long-time friend, Herb Thomas. Family members owe him much gratitude for his help with Paul for many years.

A graveside service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, December 13, 2014 at the Oak Hill Cemetery near Bastrop, Texas.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, Texas 77521, (281) 422-8111.