Robert Russell Marsh

Robert R. (Bob) Marsh, age 80, of Ozark, Alabama passed away on Saturday, November 26, 2011, at Dale Medical Center after an extended illness.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 29, 2011, at Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home with Reverend William Hart officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in Woodlawn Memory Gardens with Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing. The family will receive friends at Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. until service time. Flowers will be accepted or the family asks that memorials be made to your favorite charity.

CW4 Marsh was born and lived most of his life in Dale County, Alabama. While still in high school, he joined the Alabama National Guard in 1947. After graduation from high school in 1949, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served until his retirement in 1970. He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars, having served two tours in Vietnam as a CH-54 Army helicopter pilot.

After his retirement from the Army, Marsh attended Troy University, earning degrees in history and political science. He also retired from the U.S. Postal Service, having served 20 years as a rural mail carrier. After his second retirement, he enjoyed gardening and self-taught woodworking as a hobby, which produced many exquisite items of furniture and wood work. He handcrafted a mandolin, taught himself to play it, and was an accomplished guitar player who loved the old bluegrass music.

He was a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, the Retired Officers Association, the National Association for Uniformed Services, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Veterans of the Vietnam War, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, the First Cavalry Division Association and numerous other service and civic organizations. His many military awards include the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with V device and 23 Air Medals. Mr. Marsh was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, Theodore Roosevelt (Bob) Marsh and Quida Smith Marsh, a sister, Jeanette, and brother, Harold (Norma Jean).

Survivors include his loving and faithful wife of 56 years, Mary Ezell Marsh; son, Robert David and daughter-in-law, Shari Russell Marsh of Ozark; daughter, Shari, and husband, Phillip Harris, of Ozark; sisters: Joanne Boyette of Montgomery, Shelby Marsh Godwin (Joe) of Ozark; brother, Bobby Marsh (Sandra) of Ozark; grandchildren: Robert James Marsh of Ozark, Richard Alan Marsh (Kelli) of Smyrna, TN, Jessica Marsh of Dothan, Mikayla Harris of Ozark; great-grandchildren: Tristan and Isabella of Ozark, Riley of Smyrna, TN; numerous nieces and nephews.

Special thanks to Jim Ezell, his brother-in-law, who has provided so much support in Bob’s later years.

Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home of Ozark (334) 774-4551 is in charge of the arrangements. Members of the Dignity Memorial network. Condolences and flowers may be offered at www.fuquabankston.com