Charles F. Marsh

Charles F. Marsh, 94, a Palmer resident for 57 years, passed away Nov. 12, 2012, at the Alaska Veterans and Pioneers Home in Palmer.

A service is at 1 p.m., Nov. 23 at the United Protestant (Presbyterian) Church, 713 South Denali St., Palmer. A time for sharing and light refreshments follows.

Charles “Charly” Marsh was born Dec. 19, 1918, in Bern, Kan., to John and Luise Marsh. He attended Highland Junior College, Highland, Kan., and earned a master’s degree in agriculture economics at Kansas State University. While attending graduate school, he met Mary Louise Markley and they married in June 1949. They had two children, Kathryn and James “Jimmy” Marsh.

In 1956, Charles moved with his young family to Palmer, where he worked as an economist for the Agricultural Experiment Station for 20 years, served as the state director of the Agricultural Soil and Conservation Service for four years and taught at Mat-Su Community College until retirement.

Charles dedicated much of his life to service to his church, country and community. As a veteran he served in Japan and as a lifetime member of his church, The Community of Christ, he served a mission in St. Joseph, Mo., was an Elder, Seventy and Evangelist. He was a member of the Palmer Kiwanis Club for more than 50 years. His dedication to community and family has influenced many and he will always be remembered for his great sense of humor, strong faith and compassion for others.

Any spare time he had, Charles spent fishing, hunting and enjoying the beauty of Alaska. Some of the family’s favorite memories are of fishing with “Grandpa.”

Surviving are his brother and sister-in-law, Rollin and Sallye Marsh of Kansas; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Jim Hundley of Kansas; son, James Marsh and daughter, Kathy Thompson, of Palmer; grandchildren, Julia Hammond and her husband, Brad, of Utah; Gabe Thompson and wife, Amanda, of North Carolina, and Julius Glenn Thompson of Palmer; and three great-grandchildren, Sterling, Jackson and Claira Hammond.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Louise; and his sister, Virgie Twombly.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Palmer Kiwanis Club, P.O. Box 30, Palmer, AK 99645.

Arrangements were made by Kehl’s Palmer Mortuary.