Albert John Marsh departed this life at Heritage Village Nursing Center in Holdenville on Sunday morning, August 10, 2014, after a full and happy 97-1/2 years.

Albert was the son of John & Dora (Luther) Marsh, born on February 6, 1917, in Lamar, Oklahoma. The family moved around in Albert's childhood, and he was brought up living in various places in Oklahoma and in California. Albert married Esther Lee Greer in Visalia, California on January 13, 1937, and they were blessed with two daughters, Barbara and Peggy. Albert was saved in 1940 and spent the rest of his life as a faithful and dedicated Christian.

Albert & Esther moved their family to Oklahoma in 1948, to a farm in the Gerty area where they settled in for good. Albert's full-time occupation of farmer/rancher was combined with various others, including carpenter work, and six years employment at the naval depot in McAlester. He was a charter member of the Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Gerty, and he and his family were very active members. After fifty years together, Esther passed away in 1987. Albert married Beatrice (Brooks) Price on September 26, 1988, in McAlester, Oklahoma. They had 26 years together, and enjoyed pulling their travel trailer to various places where they could listen to Bluegrass music, or spend some time at Lake Eufaula. Albert loved to bird hunt, deer hunt, and fish. He remained active and energetic until 2009, when his health began to falter at the age of 92. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, devoted to all his extended family, and he left them blessed with cherished memories and grateful hearts.

Albert is preceded in death by his parents, John & Dora Marsh; his beloved wife of 50 years, Esther; one son, John Elton Marsh in 1937; stepson-in-law Robert Loftis; half brothers Lee Meredith and Furman Marsh, and half sister Myrtle (Meredith) Grass; one sister, Ruby (Marsh) Price and one brother, Otis Marsh, who died in World War II.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 25 years, Beatrice; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara & Denny Wilbanks of Calvin and Peggy & Dub Tatum of Holdenville; two stepdaughters, Melba Loftis of Tulsa, and Mildred Proctor and husband Dale of Dustin; four grandchildren: David Wilbanks and wife Jeanna of Gerty, Denise Steele and husband Damon of Moore, Bryan Tatum and wife Tisha of Shawnee, and Kevin Tatum and wife Krista of Holdenville; five step granddaughters and step grandsons-in-law: Barbara & Pat Fowler of Edmond, Roberta & Jay Jeffrey of Holdenville, Nancy & Yates Adcock and Diana & Reed Voigt, all of Dustin, and Joy & Matt Niles of Tulsa; ten great grandchildren: Joshua Steele, John Steele, Jessica Steele, Elijah Wilbanks, Summer Wilbanks, Kylee Tatum, Kenzi Tatum, Courtney Tatum, Carley Tatum, and Jae Kin; eleven step great grandchildren: Melissa Felt, Jeremy 'Jack' Fowler, Beth Jeffrey, Brenda Jeffrey, Jason Jeffrey, Nicole Adcock, Colton Adcock, Faith Voigt, Jake Niles, Andy Niles, and Stella Niles; two great great grandchildren, Mackenzie Steele and Paisley Steele; four step great great grandchildren: Mack Felt, Sawyer Jeffrey, Waylon Jeffrey, and Celia Felt; numerous other relatives and many friends.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 12, 2014, 1:30 p.m. at Harmony Missionary Baptist Church in Gerty, with interment at Holdenville Cemetery. Rev. Don Parr is the officiating minister. Pallbearers are David Wilbanks, Bryan Tatum, Kevin Tatum, Damon Steele, Joshua Steele, John Steele, and Elijah Wilbanks. Honorary pallbearers are Greg Turpin, Inez Turpin, Billie Bullock, Geneva Battershell, Bill Holt, Arlan Wilson, Norva Wilson, and Mariel Cross.