James Peter Marsh

1953 ~ 2022

Jim, age 69, passed away the morning of May 18th, at his home in South Jordan, UT attended by his family. After a diagnosis of cranial glioblastoma, Jim spent his final months with his wife, Jan, their six daughters and 16 grandchildren. He cherished them all.

He was born February 18, 1953 in Logan, UT, to Nina Maughan and Stanley Peter Marsh, the second of five children. He grew up in Los Alamos, NM, graduating from LA High School in 1971 then on to Utah State to complete his BA degree in Music Education while running hurdles for the university, lettering every year, and his Masters in Secondary Education. Jim was selected two years in a row as the student athlete of the year at USU having the highest GPA of any athlete on campus. He spent two years serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Portland, OR Mission.

Jim was a lover of sweets, Louis L'Amour, and afternoon rides on his scooter, checking in with the neighborhood or meeting up with friends.

Jim was a winner. He was first to the top of the rope in grade school, fastest hurdler and highest high jumper in high school, and the only guy who could have won the heart of the most beautiful girl at Utah State while driving a VW hatchback.

Jim Marsh was a Music Man. Before the turn of the century, he played in all the pit orchestras for Promised Valley Playhouse, and Salt Lake City’s entertainment venues. Although French horn was his instrument of choice, he learned to play all brass and woodwind instruments as he spent 15 years teaching band and music. Jim began his career in North Summit School District in Coalville, UT, and in 1979 the Utah Music Educators Association selected Jim as the Rookie of the Year. While teaching at Eastmont Middle School in Jordan School District, he received a Teacher of the Year award. Helping students learn their instruments was a challenge topped only by getting them to play on the same page at the same time. His beloved Grandmother Lovisa would remind him on occasion “Keep those kids busy. If you don’t, they surely will keep YOU busy.” The strategies he learned in modifying student behavior served him well as he transitioned to Assistant Principal.

In 1991 he completed another graduate degree in School Administration and went on to serve as Assistant Principal at Eastmont, Oquirrh Hills, and South Jordan Middle Schools, as well as Jordan, Alta, and Riverton High Schools until retirement in 2015. Jim had a great respect for the students and sought opportunities to get them involved in sports, music, and arts in their schools. He also helped them recognize their responsibility to find a compromise as they worked through conflicts with one other. Often, he would pull out his guitar and calm the room until cooler heads prevailed.

Jim spent 30 years as a member of the Utah National Guard 23rd Army Band. He considered it an honor to play with such skilled musicians. He also played in the Army Band’s Brass Quintet and started a quartet that sang with the band. The band performed often throughout Utah and enjoyed several tours abroad. Jim recalls with great solemnity the honor of playing at Ramstein Air Force Base when flag-draped caskets came off the planes.

He is survived by his wife of 46 years, Jan Baugh Marsh, whom he loved and appreciated for her unfailing devotion, strength of character, and shining example. Their children who have been the light of his life: Jaci and Rodney Thornell of Herriman, UT, April and Travis Johnson of Vale, OR, Amber Marsh and Eric Woken of Meridian, ID, Chelsea and Nick Lopez of Seattle, WA, Adelin and Riley Dias of Hurricane, UT, and Ciera Keller of South Jordan, UT. The grandchildren: Maya, Jett, Tytan, Hawk Thornell; Riley, Diesel, Claire, Tucker Johnson, Lily Brownlee; Ethan, Brix Lopez; Rocco, Deion, Krush, Rhone Dias; and Tyson Keller. He is also survived by his brother, David, and his sisters Sally, JC, and Kate.

The family would like to thank members of the Founders Park 6th Ward, the Founders Park Stake, as well as all those in the Country Crossing neighborhood, family, friends and colleagues of many decades, and those at the Huntsman Cancer Institute - Dr. Joe Mendez, Heather, Paula, and other employees, Intermountain Homecare and Hospice - nurse Amber and CNA Brittney, and other employees, and the South Jordan Fire Department EMT’s. All of these amazing people lovingly cared for, served, prayed for, and lifted the spirits of Jim and his family.

Services will be held Saturday, June 4, 2022 at the Foxview LDS Chapel, 4127 W. Foxview Drive, South Jordan, UT, 84009, at 11 am, with a viewing from 9:30 to 10:30 that morning. There will be a viewing the night before, on Friday, June 3rd, at Larkin Mortuary, 3688 W. 12600 S. Riverton, UT 84065.

Funeral services will be streamed via Zoom for those unable to attend in person or wishing to attend virtually. To watch the streamed services, please click the "Watch Services" link above.

For your information: Interment with military honors will be at the Logan City Cemetery on Monday, June 6th, at 12:30 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests making a donation to a charity of your choice.


Guestbook/Condolences

Sorry to read Jim's obituary but I am glad family was around to the end if my great cousin, Jim's life.
Debbie L Marsh


- Debbie L Marsh

I have many great memories spending time with Jim and playing music together. I am so sorry that he passed away!!


- Todd Richards

Wish you could have been around when we finish sprinkler system


- Chris sprinker guy

Hello Jan and family. So sorry to hear of Jim's passing. Our association with your family has so many wonderful memories and our thoughts and prayers to heaven for you and all your family at this time of sorrow. God be thanked for his everlasting plan of happiness. Stacey and Angie Ward


- Stacey and Angie Ward

To Jan and your family know that you will be in my thoughts in my prayers and in the coming days and weeks at the loss of your husband and father Jim. I remember him always being there to support Jan as she saying with the salt lake symphonic choir and often helped us in any way that he could always being the support. May the good Lord bless and keep you in this time of Sorrow is my prayer in the name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ amen


- George Garwood

Dear David, Sally, J.C., and Kate,

I am so sorry for the passing of Jim. What a magnificent brother! There will be a big empty spot in your hearts, for sure.

God bless you in your journey of grief.

Much love, Catherine Parker Manser


- Catherine Parker Manser

So sorry 😢 he was a great guy!


- Leah Tietjen

I loved Jim's cheer and optimism as we shared music and army stuff in the guard band. I'll miss seeing you at the Tab Choir and Orchestra events.

Fun memory: Jim and three others in the vocal quartet gave a short impromptu street concert in Heidelberg, Germany. They drew quite a crowd.


- Dwight Bird

I grew up with Jim for 13 years on 36th street in Los Alamos. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. Please accept my sincere condolences. May he Rest In Peace. God Bless.


- Bill Roybal

I have so enjoyed our friendship with the Marsh family. Jim was such a fun guy to hang with. His laugh and fun personality were infectious. Whether he was putting around the neighborhood on his scooter or working on his wood projects he was just so much fun. I will miss him. Our thoughts and prayers to the Marsh’s.


- Dennis Autrey

Dear Marsh family,
We have such great memories raising our families together in Kearns. Jim & Jan are people we have looked up to since the first time we met them. Such great examples of how to raise a family! Those girls were such a great part of the lives of our children! Our paths in life have taken both of our families away from that neighborhood that we loved so much but the life lessons we learned there have carried us through the passing of time. You have our love & sympathy as you navigate Jim's 'graduation' from this mortal challenge. We cherish every memory & interaction we have had. What a great man!
All our love, Jon and Jenae Talbot & family


- Jon & Jenae Talbot

Dear Jan and family,
It is with a heavy heart we express our sympathies with the passing of you beloved Jim. May you be filled abundantly with the spirit as you gather as family to honor and reminisce of the wonderful life of your husband, father and grandfather.
May your tears of sorrow turn to tears of anticipation as you continue to gain an eternal perspective. All our love,
Gary and Pam Anderson


- Pamela Smith Anderson

I knew Jim from my time in the 23rd Army Band. I loved his steadiness, his calm and confident demeanor, and gentleness.


- Amie L Johnson

We have treasured memories of the Marsh family. We loved being part of the kids’ teen years. As new church members we were impressed with Jim’s leadership and many talents. He was full of energy and fun! (We said in 1970: this church has fabulous youth like Jim Marsh!) we send our love and prayers to each of you.


- Roger & Connie Gartz

I just learned of Jim’s passing and now have a hole in my heart that will always be there. I loved Jim and his wise counsel as we worked together in the 23rd Army Band to make it a better place and organization. His French Horn playing was spot on. His ability to see what needed to be improved and then reach out in meaningful ways to get that change to happen was an example I follow. His “hosephone” playing during “Sempre Fidelis” forever changed my perception of what a brass player could do. His “reality-based” faith always made me think about what I found meaningful and important. Jim and Jan’s enduring devotion to marriage, family, and community set a high bar for their children and posterity. I watched their family grow through sadness and joy and suspect they will always be a part of my life.
Mike Cottam


- Mike Cottam