James Marsh

MARSH



James R. Marsh, 82, of Columbus, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Martins Ferry, OH, on July 26, 1927, Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Blanche and James Lacina. Survivors include his wife, Mary (Sweet) Marsh; daughter, Patricia (Joseph) Elton; son, Thomas (Annie) Marsh; brother, Don (Harriet) Marsh; grandchildren, Alexander and Lance Elton, Samantha (Greg) Gibson and James Marsh; great-grandchildren, Moira and Gaelen Gibson; nieces, nephews and many friends. Jim served in the United States Marine Corps in the Pacific near the end of World War II. After the war, Jim did his undergraduate study at Bowling Green State University and graduated from the Salmon P. Chase School of Law at the University of Cincinnati and passed the Ohio Bar in 1956. He practiced law in Mt. Healthy and Cleveland, Ohio in the early 1960's. In 1961 and 1963, he was the Republican nominee for Mayor of Brook Park, in Cuyahoga County, Ohio. In 1965, Jim served on the staff of Ohio Attorney General William B. Saxbe and in 1966, at age 38, he was appointed Secretary of the Ohio Real Estate Commission. In 1968 he was appointed Chief Elections Counsel in the Office of Ohio Secretary of State Ted W. Brown and in 1973, was appointed Ohio's Assistant Secretary of State. In 1984, Ohio Secretary of State Sherrod Brown awarded Marsh the first ever Distinguished Service Award at the annual conference of the Ohio Association of Elections Officials. Jim has been a life-long golfer and outdoorsman with many fishing trips to Canada. Jim was a dedicated husband, father and grandfather. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home, NE Chapel, 3047 East Dublin Granville Road, Columbus, OH. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Odyssey Health Care, 540 Officecenter Place, Suite 100, Gahanna, OH 43230.