James W. Marshall, Jr.

HENDERSONVILLE - James "Jim" W. Marshall, Jr., 87, of Hendersonville, died on Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Elizabeth House. A native of Winnetka, Ill., he was born on May 10, 1925, to the late James W. Marshall, Sr. and Mary Louise Smith. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Sarah "Cosy" Marshall, who died in 2012, and his brother, Thomas Lees Marshall, who died July 9, 1944, in Fondaggio, Italy, serving in an ambulance unit in the American Field Service during World War II.
A member of "The Greatest Generation," Jim also served his country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II. Upon his return home, he attended and graduated from Brown University with a degree in English. He worked for Heritage Furniture Company as a traveling salesman and while on a business trip to High Point he had a blind date with a true southern belle. Returning to High Point a year later, and seeing her with someone else, he quickly realized that she was the love of his life. He married Sarah "Cosy" Hunsucker on Oct. 15, 1955, in a small ceremony in her parent's home. As they started their family, Jim always held a special place in his heart for his brother, and realized that the gift of life and family were priceless commodities. Jim bestowed his brother's name to his first born son, Thomas Lees Marshall. The furniture business brought his small family to Florida, where he also got his brokerage license. After summering in Tryon with his family for many years, he and Cosy's love for the mountains of western North Carolina brought them to Hendersonville in 1963.
He began working for McCarley & Co. of Asheville. He opened their Hendersonville office in the First Federal Building on Church Street. He was the only stockbroker in Hendersonville at the time and had Hendersonville's first ticker tape which afforded him the opportunity to learn the country's breaking news before most everyone else. His love and dedication to his work kept him in the brokerage business until his retirement.
He was an active member of the Rotary Club for over 49 years, a member of the Hendersonville Country Club, and a season ticket holder at Flat Rock Playhouse. He was on the board of directors for the Flat Rock Playhouse as well as the Salvation Army for numerous years. He was a faithful member of St. James Episcopal Church for over 50 years and remained active as an usher up until a few months ago.
He is survived by three sons, Thomas L. Marshall, of Hendersonville, James W. Marshall, III and his wife, Tiffany, of Hendersonville, and Frank H. Marshall and his wife, Lauren, of Asheville, and four grandchildren, Henry "Hank" H. Marshall, Wesleigh M. Marshall, Sarah Genevieve Marshall, and Louisa E. Marshall, who all affectionately called him "Hobbie".
A memorial service will held at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 12, 2013, in St. James Episcopal Church, Hendersonville, with the Rev. Joel G. Hafer, the Rev. Eunice R. Dunlap, and the Rev. Deacon Tim Jones officiating. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. on Thursday at Thos. Shepherd's Church Street Chapel.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Thomas L. Marshall Memorial Scholarship Endowment, c/o Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation, 180 West Campus Drive, Flat Rock, NC 28731 or to St. James Episcopal Church, 766 N. Main St., Hendersonville, NC 28792.
A register book is available online for family and friends by visiting www.thosshepherd.com.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors and Cremation Memorial Center is in charge of arrangements.