James Marsh,

Joseph James “Jim” Marsh, Jr., 74, formerly of Troy, passed away on December 23, 2012, at his residence in Salt Lake City, Utah. He was born November 7, 1938, a son of Joseph “Joe” James and Lois Irene (Reid) Marsh. He was united in marriage to Altha Harris on June 26, 1960, at the Methodist Church in Elsberry, Missouri. Later he married Jackie Buecher of Overland Park, Kansas in Las Vegas Nevada. Jim attended grade school at Troy and Claude Brown elementary, and graduated from Buchanan High School in 1956. Following his graduation, he continued his education at Hannibal-LaGrange College, Washington University and graduated in 1960 from Dallas Institute Gupton-Jones College of Mortuary Science with both his Funeral Director’s and Embalmers’ Licenses . Jim enlisted in the Army in 1962 was in boot camp at Fort Leonard Wood. He received further training at Fort Devins Massachusetts before being sent to Viet Nam where he served until 1963 when he was honorably discharged. After the passing of his father, Jim returned to his work in the family business, Kemper-Marsh Funeral Home where he had begun working while in Junior High. He was appointed Lincoln County Coroner to fill out his Father’s term. Jim continued to work in the family business until health reasons forced him to relocate. In 1967 he moved to California and while there he was employed by Searle Laboratories, U-Hall Company, and Wells Fargo Guard Services. In 1977, he returned to Troy to help his mother, Lois, run the funeral home until her passing. During this time, Jim wrote a column “From the top of the Flagpole” for the Troy Free Press. In 1996, Jim relocated to Fort Davis, Texas where he served as a volunteer at MacDonald Observatory and taught Astronomy to Elderhaus tours at Prude Ranch. He moved to Salt Lake City in 1998 where he was employed by various Private Security agencies. He was a member of Wasatch Lodge # 1 and the Salt Lake City Astronomical Society. Jim was a 50 year member of Troy Lodge # 34 A. F. & A. M., a member of Troy Chapter # 405 Order of the Eastern Star, member of Patriot Guard Riders in Missouri, Kansas, and Utah, and a member of Widow’s Sons Rider Association Kansas and Missouri, member of American Legion Riders of American Legion Post #310, Overland Park, Kansas and on the Staff of Powell Observatory in Louisburg, Kansas. He was Past President of the Hawk Point Lions Club, Past District Governor of Lions Clubs International MD 28 in Utah, Past President of the Lincoln Country Historical and Archeological Society, former member of Scottish Rite, York Rite, Moolah Shrine, St. Louis Astronomical Society, Kansas City Astronomical Society, and served as the first Civil Defense Director of Troy. His is survived by Altha Marsh of Troy, Missouri, Jackie Buecher of Overland Park, Kansas, cousins Jay Jones of Palos Verdes, California, Gary Jones (Alice) of Tahoe, California, and Paula Zalar (Rick) of St. Louis, Missouri other relatives and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph “Joe” Marsh on February 27, 1963, his mother Lois Marsh on May 6, 1990, and brother Clay Marsh on February 8, 2007. Friends will be received from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013, at Kemper-Marsh-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Troy, Missouri. A Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, February 16, 2013, at Kemper-Marsh-Millard Family Funeral Chapel in Troy, Missouri with Pastor Carla Fletcher presiding; followed by a Lions Club Rose Service and a Masonic Service. Interment will be in Troy City Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to Troy Lodge # 34 A. F & A.M. in care Kemper-Marsh-Millard Family Funeral Chapel, P.O. Box 222; Troy, Missouri. (636) 528-8221 Online condolences may be made at www.kempermarshmillardfamilychapels.com

James Marsh,

November 7, 1938 - December 23, 2012