John J. Marsh

John J. “Jack” Marsh, Jr., 76, of New Philadelphia, died Tuesday, February 5, 2002, in his home, following a sudden illness.Born May 17, 1925, in New Philadelphia, he was the son of the late John J. Marsh, Sr. and Orlena M. Huth Marsh. During his high school years, Jack became interested in aviation, and took flying lessons at the New Philadelphia Airport. He soloed prior to his senior year of high school, and took aviation ground school courses that were offered by New Philadelphia High School during the war years.He enlisted in the Army Air Corps cadet program before his eighteenth birthday in 1943, and was called to active duty in September of that year. Jack was assigned to the Central Flying Training Command and received ground school training at the University of Arkansas, and flight training at San Antonio, TX, Chickasha and Enid, OK, and Denver, CO. He graduated from pilot training in April 1945, and a short time later, became a primary flight instructor at Goodfellow A.F.B., Goodfellow, TX. Jack taught two classes of Chinese cadets, and two classes of Eighth Air Force bombardiers and navigators, who had returned from combat in Europe. He received his military discharge in April 1946.Jack had not graduated with his class in 1944, but because of his studies in the service, New Philadelphia High School granted credits toward his diploma, which was given to his mother during the 1945 commencement. Jack was very grateful to the school for the credit received.In June 1947, he married Ann Kirk of New Philadelphia. Jack attended Kent State University, and graduated in 1949, with a B.S. in Business Administration. He began his career with Marsh Lumber Co., later Marsh Industries, Inc., where he served as director and chairman, retiring on June 30, 1992. Jack was also director and vice-president of the Stone Creek Brick Co.He was a member of First United Church of Christ, New Philadelphia, where he served as trustee. Jack was a member of the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, where he served on the board of directors. He received the Chamber’s 1998 Hall of Fame Award. He was a member of the Dover Rotary Club, serving in various offices, including president, and was the oldest living past-president of the organization. Jack helped establish the New Philadelphia Airport Commission, of which he served as chairman in 1977, 1978 and 1979.He was a member of the Ohio Forestry Association, serving several terms as director, and was named Industry Man of the Year in 1988. Jack served twelve years on the board of trustees of Union Hospital, some of those as vice-president and president. He also served on different hospital committees, and chaired the most recent fund drive. Jack served as a director of Bank One, Dover, for twenty-five years. He was past-president of the board of directors and trustees of the Tuscarawas County Y.M.C.A., and was currently on the board. Additionally, Jack served as chairman of the most recent Phase III Campaign to expand the Wellness Center. He was proud of the fact that he had been affiliated with the Â?Y’ for over fifty years.Jack was a trustee and served as chairman of the board of trustees of the Tuscarawas County Community Foundation. He was an active member of the New Philadelphia Rotary Club, and was a Paul Harris Fellow. In 2001, he received the New Philadelphia Quaker Foundation’s award for Alumnus of the Year.In addition to his wife, Ann, he is survived by three sons, John J. (Carol) Marsh, III of Vienna, VA, Joe Marsh of Akron, and Brian (Pamela) of New Philadelphia; three grandsons, Andrew, Brian, II and Colby Marsh; and a granddaughter, Nichole Marsh; a sister Marjorie (William) Quicksall, Jr. of New Philadelphia; many nieces, nephews and cousins.A private burial service will be held in Evergreen Burial Park, New Philadelphia. Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service Saturday, February 9, 2002 at 1:30 p.m. in the First United Church of Christ. Pastor Jeffrey R. Gerber will officiate. Visitation will be Friday, February 8, 2002, anytime after 2 p.m., in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home, New Philadelphia, with the family present 6-9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First United Church of Christ Building Fund, 201 Fair Ave. N.W., P.O. Box 422, New Philadelphia, OH 44663, or, to the Tuscarawas County Y.M.C.A., 600 Monroe Ave., Dover, OH 44622.