James Tolly Marsh, Jr., 77, of Leonardtown, MD died September 16, 2007 at his residence after a battle with cancer.

Born May 30, 1930 in New Windsor, MD, he was the son late Dr. James T. Marsh and Margaret Ann Rankin.

He followed a long and successful career in manufacturing by earning a Master Gardener ranking in 1998.

He attended Western Maryland College (now McDaniel College), graduating in 1952. In December of that year he married his wife, Joan and almost immediately left for Camp Breckinridge in Kentucky and then for Korea, where he served as a Lieutenant in the 223rd Infantry of the 40th Division and the 7th Infantry Regiment of the 3rd Division, tasked as platoon leader with clearing the mine fields along the DMZ.

After returning from Korea, he worked for Black and Decker in Hampstead, MD, then for Mechanical Products in Jackson, MI. In 1966, he was named Manager of the Minitec Division of Aiken Industries, and he moved his family to Leonardtown where he built and managed the two Minitec manufacturing plants, one of the first non Navy-related light industries in St. Mary's County. He retired in 1991 and began to pursue numerous interests. He was a popular tour guide and docent at the Calvert Marine Museum, Historic St. Mary's City and Sotterley Plantation, where he helped develop an educational program that shed light on the role of the plantation's slaves. An avid reader, he served for many years on the board of the Southern Maryland Friends of the Library, the Literacy Council and was active in the Southern Maryland Genealogical Society. He was Past President of both the Leonardtown and Lexington Park Rotary, and served on the St. Mary's County Economic Development Commission and the Maryland Judicial Nominating Commission. He also was a faithful Hospice Volunteer for many years.

His love of nature led Mr. Marsh and his wife to travel to the famous gardens of Ireland, England and France, and to pursue a Master Gardener certification. His expertise and enthusiasm led him, at the age of 70, to a position with the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension Service, serving as Extension Program Coordinator and providing advice to professional landscapers and amateur gardeners alike. He recently was honored by the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension in recognition of "his inspiring leadership and dedicated service to the St. Mary's County Master Gardener Program, and his valuable contributions to the 'greening' of the environment."

Mr. Marsh was a member of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Newtowne, where he served as Lector and Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Joan Brengle Marsh of Leonardtown, MD, four children, Lynn Marsh Freeman, Julia Marsh Brown and James K. Marsh, all of Washington, DC and Patricia Marsh Dehoorne of Chelsea, MI, sister, Margaret Marsh "Peg" Parish of Branson, MO and nine grandchildren.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 20, 2007 from 3- 5:00 p.m. and 6- 8:00 p.m. in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Newtowne, Leonardtown, MD. Prayers will be recited at 7:00 p.m. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 21, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. in the church. Reverend John Mattingly will be the celebrant. Inurnment will follow in the church cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Hospice House c/o Hospice of St. Mary's, P.O. Box 625, Leonardtown, MD 20650 or St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 21370 Newtowne Neck Road, Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements by the Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A. in Leonardtown, MD.