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

CW4 Robert R. Marsh  U.S. Army Retired

   Robert R. (Bob) Marsh, age 80 of Ozark, Al. passed away on Saturday, November 26^th at Dale Medical Center after an extended illness.  The funeral will be at Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home on Tuesday , November 29, at 2/l00 P.M., with the Reverend William Hart officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, with Fuqua-Bankston Funeral Home directing.  The family will receive family and friends at the funeral home from 1 hour prior to the service time

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    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 Regular 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 himself woodworking as a hobby, which produced many exquisite items of furniture and wood work. He handcrafted a mandolin and taught himself to play it, as well as 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 Officer’s Association, the National Association for Uniformed Services, the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, Veterans of the Vietnam War, Vietnam Helicopter Pilot’s 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.  He was a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.  He was proceeded 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, a son Robert David and daughter in-law Shari Russell Marsh, a daughter Shari and husband Phillip Harris, both of Ozark.  Sisters Joanne Boyette from Montgomery, Shelby Marsh Godwin (Joe) and brother Bobby Marsh (Sandra) of Ozark.  Grandchildren Robert James Marsh Ozark, Richard Alan Marsh, (Kelli), Smyrna, TN, Jessica Marsh of Dothan, Mikayla Harris of Ozark. Great grandchildren Tristan and Isabella of Ozark, and Riley of Smyrna, Tn. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.  Special thanks to Jim Ezell, his brother-in-law, who has provided so much support in Bob’s  later years.