Leo Edwin Marsh, 96 of Spearfish, SD, passed away April 2, 2016 at Spearfish Regional Hospital in Spearfish.
Leo was born August 21, 1919 as the only child to Clover Edwin and Mattie Frances (Bell) Marsh in Rapid Valley in a home that his father built. Leo grew up in Rapid City and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1937. Leo was an accomplished saxophone player. As a high school senior and the years following graduation, his good friend, Cedric Burgquist and friends had a dance band that played all over the Black Hills area, including the second floor of the Alex Johnson Hotel and Gardees Roller Rink on Main Street in Rapid City were favorites. Leo also enjoyed cruising around Rapid City in his 34' Ford Convertible and a 37' Ford Coupe. He went to Metalsmithing School in Denver, CO. He then went to work for Lockheed Aircraft Cooperation in Burbank, California in 1941, as a group supervisor in sheet metal fabrication of the P-38 Lightning. While working for Lockheed, he met his future mother-in- law, who introduced him to her daughter, Mary Margaret Turner. It was love at first sight, they married just a few weeks later on Halloween, October 31, 1943. Mary Margaret would always say, "Leo married a witch and she married a spook." They were happily married for 71 years. Their only son, Richard Edwin Marsh was born in September 1944.
Leo joined the U.S. Navy in 1945. He finished Naval Training School in Great Lakes, IL and the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Norman, Oklahoma. He served on the USS Antietam (CV 36) and with the NAB Navy 939 on the island of Guam. He was Honorably Discharged in April 1946. Leo, Mary Margaret and Richard returned to the Black Hills after WWII. Leo went to work for Larry Memmott, and also Charles Bradsky. The next Phillip 66 jobber Leo worked for was Floyd Fenex, who eventually sold the business to Gilbert D. Moyle. Leo and his father Clover Marsh were the first employees of Moyle Petroleum. Leo retried from Moyle Petroleum after more than three decades.
Leo and Mary Margaret moved to Spearfish in 1992 to live closer to their son. Leo was a member of several fraternal organizations. Leo and Mary Margaret loved to travel, especially to Hawaii. He loved to fish on the local lakes and he loved chocolate with macadamia nuts. Leo was an avid coin collector and enjoyed working puzzles. He was a kind and caring man, always concerned for others and their needs.
Leo was preceded in death by his parents and his wife of 71 years who passed away on Christmas Day 2014. Leo is survived by his son and daughter in law, Richard and Helen Marsh of Spearfish, SD, four grandchildren; Ryan of Cheyenne, WY, Rochelle (Trevor) McClintock of Omaha, NE, Rich (Kristin) of Rapid City, SD and Regan (Stevie) of Cheyenne, WY and seven great- grandchildren, Landon, Hannah, Connor, Madison, Emma, Leo and Mia.
Visitation begins at 10:00 am with funeral service at 11:00 am, Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish, SD. Private family burial will take place in Rapid City, SD. Memorials in Leo's name can be made to the Rapid City Club for Boys.
Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com