James Wallis Marsh was born December 11, 1921 in Asoka County, Limestone, Oklahoma the son of James Evard and Halcyone Wallis Marsh. He was one of six children. The family moved to Nevada County, Arkansas and young Marsh graduated from Prescott High School as war was threatening. He enlisted and served in the Army in the 153 Infantry and later went into the Air Corp graduating from the Aviator Cadet School in 1943 as 2nd Lieutenant.
When he was discharged he enrolled in the University of Arkansas College of Medicine and graduated in 1950. Dr. Marsh, then completed an internship in 1951 at Madigan General Army Hospital in Tacoma, Washington attaining the rank of Captain before retiring.
Returning to his home state, Dr. Marsh traveled southern Arkansas seeking a town where he could establish a successful practice. He decided on Warren. There he built a clinic and for the next 57 years successfully, skillfully and devotedly cared for the Warren people. The clinic was enlarged and modified after his step-daughter, Dichelle George M.D., joined him when she finished medical school in 1997.
Dr. Marsh was married twice: to Julia Joanne in December in 1944 and to LaDonna Trantham in 1985. He had 5 children and 2 step children.
In civic life Dr. Marsh was also a success. He was a partner in Warren Aviation Inc., (still liked to fly after his Air Force days) was a partner in Brown Feed Store and owned The Town Shop. He was the founding partner of the Marsh-George Clinic. He held membership in the Rotary Club and was member of the Methodist Church. He also received a Bachelor degree in Science and a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Arkansas. Dr. Marsh served as chief of staff at Bradley County Medical Center and Board member and Chairman of the hospital for many years.
As he grew older Dr. Marsh, when asked when he planned to retire, is quoted as saying “why would I? I go to work, I do something I enjoy and get to visit with friends while I’m there”*.
After 50 years of medical practice in 2001 (and still practicing) he was given a reception at the Bradley County Medical Center to honor that mile stone. Marsh was inducted into the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Hall of Fame in 2013. Throughout all the changes in the medical field, Dr. Marsh had never lost “his caring, compassion, and commitment–he is a role model and inspiration of what a doctor should be”**. He inspired a son, 2 grandsons, 2 nephews and a great nephew to attend the University of Arkansas School of Medicine.
Dr. Marsh finally retired in 2008 at the age of 78.
On September 21, 2013 at the age of 92 Dr. Marsh died. He had practiced medicine 58 years, about 50 years in the city of Warren, (Bradley County) Arkansas. He is buried in Oakland Cemetery in Monticello, Arkansas.
*Dicelle George, “Half Century of Medicine”. The Eagle Democrat, July 25, 2001.
**Ibid.
Betty L. Battenfield august 2019