More detail on this person: Ocala - James "Jim"
W. Marsh, 82, joined the Lord in Heaven on
Tuesday, March 13, 2012. Jim was born on June
15, 1929 in Greenville, MI. He grew up in Grand
Rapids, graduating high school and attended junior
college there for a short time until he joined the
United States Army on July 23, 1955. Jim had a
distinguished military career as an Army
operations officer, battalion adjutant, top-notch
aviator, and instructor pilot in both rotary and
fixed wing aircraft. He retired from the Army
after 21 years, having served in the Korean War
and two terms in Vietnam. Flying as an EVAC
helicopter pilot, Jim was responsible for saving
the lives of hundreds of our brave soldiers. Jim
was a Bronze Medal recipient. In his civilian
years, he continued to fly helicopters in various
capacities including emergency air lift operations
for local hospitals. Jim acquired skills as a
golfer while serving in the Military. After
retiring as a pilot, he spent the remainder of his
working life as a golf professional at clubs in
Florida and Georgia, taking pride in his position
as assistant pro at the Bay Hill Club and Lodge in
Orlando. His skills as a golf instructor were well
known as was his skill as a golf club maker and
repairman. He continued his formal education and
obtained a bachelor of Business Administration
from Florida Atlantic University with a major in
Marketing. Jim leaves his beautiful and devoted
wife Florence, having enjoyed 42 years of a loving
marriage. He also leaves five children: Robert, a
long-time PGA pro in Alabama; Katheryn, a
talented and well known artist in St. Augustine,
FL; Stephen, a postal worker and member of a
volunteer mountain rescue team in California;
JoEllen, a special needs teaching paraprofessional
in Seminole County, FL; Tracy, a print operator
and an inspiration to her family in Crawfordville,
FL; all of whom loved their father. He also leaves
six devoted grandchildren: Zebulon, Joshua,
Donavon, Kelsey, Katelynn, and Kourtney, and six
loving great-grandchildren: Alexandria, Jordynn,
Allyssa, Kevin, Sarah, and Connor. Also, nieces
and nephews, with a loving mention of his dear
nieces Kimberly and Michele. His extended family
loved him and will dearly miss him. Jim is
survived by his brother Arno, a jazz tenor
saxophonist of considerable notoriety of whom he
greatly admired. Memorial services will be held
Sunday, March 25th at 2:00 p.m. at Wings of Faith
Fellowship, 5066 SE 64th Ave. Rd., Ocala, FL
34472. Memorial contributions can be made to
Shands Cancer Center at UF, P.O. Box 100385,
Gainesville, FL 32610.
Published in Ocala Star-Banner from March 23 to
March 24, 2012
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters
Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list
Return to VHPA web site
Date posted on this site: 03/10/2024
Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association