James “Jim” Ralph Marsh was born at his parent’s home in Omaha, Nebraska on December 11, 1926. He was the youngest of five children born to Lenny and Hattie Marsh. He died peacefully in Sugar Land, Texas on May 7, 2018.
During the Great Depression, Jim’s family left Nebraska and moved to Hollywood, California. Jim attended Hollywood High School and graduated in January 1945. World War II was well underway and Jim was drafted into military service.
He served in the US Army from February 1945 until November 1946. Upon entering the army, he was sent to join the United States forces occupying Japan and became an integral member of I Corps Headquarters’ office staff as a company clerk. To increase moral among the service men occupying Japan, the “brass” developed a sports team to travel across Japan to play against other US troops. A natural athlete, Jim became a member of this traveling team and played multiple sports including basketball and baseball.
Following his military career, Jim utilized his GI Bill benefits and enrolled in his beloved University of Southern California where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting in 1951. While earning his degree, Jim continued to play baseball as catcher for USC. His athleticism continued to be proven when he became a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers farm system where he primarily played catcher.
Being “Mr. Practical”, Jim chose to move into the work force and joined Shell Oil in 1951 as a tax accountant before transitioning into the Human Resources department. There he met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Powell, in 1955. He and Betty married on February 11, 1956 and enjoyed 55 years together before her death in December 2011.
Jim and Betty were an adventurous couple. They loved to square dance, fish, and travel throughout the United States and the world. When their sons were young, the family enjoyed camping and traveling to numerous states to explore and enjoy the outdoors. Jim’s work assignments took he and his bride to Al-Jubail, Saudi Arabia and Cameroon, Africa, which became jumping off points for their numerous trips to Europe and the rest of the world. Following their retirement in 1987, Jim and Betty ultimately built their dream home on Lake Balboa in Hot Springs Village, Arkansas where they lived for 19 years. Many wonderful memories were made there as they were often visited by family and the numerous friends they made throughout their lives.
Jim is survived by his sons Ralph (Dion) Marsh, Sugar Land, TX, and Cliff (Michelle) Marsh, Canyon Lake, CA; step-daughter Elizabeth Sullivan, Portland, OR; Grandchildren: Chris and Jeff Dean; Melissa (Rufino) Gaytan, Milwaukee, WI; Sean (Erika) Marsh, Missouri; Theresa (Steve) Kolos, Katy, TX; Dustin Marsh, Shanghai, China; Jessica (Cody) Bennetsen, Richmond, TX; Matthew (Michelle) Marsh, Manila, PI; Gabrielle Marsh, Canyon Lake, CA as well as twelve Great-Grandchildren.
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