Allen E. Marsh

Allen E. Marsh was born in Burkburnett, Texas on October 21, 1928 and passed away on April 4, 2016. He is predeceased by his daughter, Carla Jo Marsh. He is survived by his wife of 63 yrs., Gloria Kobobel, sons; Clay Alan Marsh and Mark Allen Marsh (Marta), four grandchildren; Allen A. Avant, Eric Mark Allen Smith (Jennifer), Nikolaus Allen Marsh, and Christian C. Allen Marsh. He also has two great-granddaughters: Natalie Jo Smith and Olivia Noel Smith.

Allen grew up in dustbowl Texas. In his youth, he helped on the family farm. His father was mustard-gassed in World War One and left with a bad heart. Allen raised animals on the farm hunted for dinner and plowed the farm with a team of horses. During the Korean War, he served with the Army Corps of Engineers and was assigned to the First Marine Air Wing from 1950 to 1952. Allen helped build runways, base defense emplacements, housing, and demolished bunkers and pillboxes. He greatly admired the will and determination of the Korean people who lived in utter devastation

After Korea, Allen worked briefly in the construction industry and then used the GI Bill to get schooling in the burgeoning field of TV and Radio repair. However, he didn’t get much of a chance to work in TV and radio repair. The Boeing Aircraft Company advertised positions for electronics techs. Allen was hired and he was sent to school for training in the field of guided missile electronics and nuclear safety. As new ICBM silos were constructed, the Marsh family was moved from missile base to missile base.

Eventually, the Marshes were moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where Allen worked in the nuclear weapons industry in the 1960’s and 70’s. Allen was present at many nuclear weapons detonations. Allen was eventually diagnosed as suffering from exposure to radioactive isotopes consisting of: Tritium, Cobalt, Strontium 90, Iodine, Cesium, Radon, Thorium, Uranium and Plutonium with probable exposure to Radium, Thallium and Actinium. It was the exposure to these radioactive isotopes that eventually lead to Allen’s demise. As Allen’s health declined, he commented that he had no regrets. He served our country in Korea and in the Cold War. For Allen, it was simply his duty.

Allen was a true southern gentleman and wonderful father. The family planned all its vacations and camping so that Allen and Gloria could come. There was no grey in Allen’s life and his moral compass always pointed true north. As a devout Christian, Allen’s faith led the family through many difficult times. He was the patriarch. Allen was an active Freemason. Allen served Carson Lodge #1, F. & A.M. as Master in 1981. He also served as the statewide presiding officer in all the Grand York Rite bodies of Nevada and was a 33rd Degree Scottish Rite Mason. Allen had the kindest heart, loved his family unconditionally, forgave our errors and demanded that we live life with honor. Allen gave his family so much more than its name.

Arrangements under the direction of FitzHenry’s Funeral Home, Carson City, NV.