Leonard Marsh

COLUMBIA - Leonard Odom Marsh, 89, passed away peacefully in his sleep of natural causes Saturday.

Mr. Marsh was the last surviving child of long-serving Columbia Fire Chief, A. McC Marsh and his wife, the former Azilee Esther Odom. He was born January 11, 1922.

During his youth in Columbia, Mr. Marsh lived with his family at the city's main fire station, which then was located on Sumter Street. . He grew up seeing and knowing the lives of first responders and the important work that they do saving lives and protecting property.

In time, Mr. Marsh was graduated from University High School, Class of 1943. He also was a lifelong member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

In 1955, Mr. Marsh wed Margaret Louise Harrington. They were married until 1989, when Mrs. Marsh passed away. They had one child, Donna Lynn Marsh, who survives her father.

For more than 40 years until his retirement, Bausch & Lomb employed Mr. Marsh in its prescription lens division.

In his leisure hours, Mr. Marsh was a great lover of music of all kinds. During his lifetime he amassed an impressive collection of recorded music, in various forms of media. But principally, Mr. Marsh was able to put together a very large library of phonograph records.

In his last years, Mr. Marsh resided at Countrywood Nursing Home in Lower Richland. Brightening his life while he was there was his daughter, who resides at Countrywood also.

Predeceasing Mr. Marsh was his wife, his sisters, Ruby Marsh Stoudemire and Edna Marsh Felts and his brother, Earl M. Marsh Sr.

Besides his daughter, Mr. Marsh is survived by a number of nieces and nephews including Ellen E. Stoudemire of Summerville, Nancy B. Peacock of Columbia, George W. Stoudemire Jr. and Thomas A. Stoudemire, both of Lexington.

Visitation will be at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street chapel on Monday 11 a.m. to noon. A graveside service will be held in Greenlawn Memorial Park at 12:30 p.m. The service will be conducted by the Rev. Dr. Tony Metze, pastor of St. Paul's.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Paul's Lutheran Church or the Babcock Center, both located in Columbia. Please sign the online guestbook at www.dunbarfunerals.com.