Carlton (C.R.) Ray Marsh, Sr.

Carlton Ray “C.R.” Marsh of Taft, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 96 on Friday, April 4, 2025. C.R. (“Stubby”) was born in Rocksprings, Texas, on March 26, 1929, to Douglass Manton Marsh and Bertha Elms Marsh. He was 1 of 10 children and outlived them all except one sister, Sue Henry, who resides in San Angelo, Texas. During his childhood, his family lived in Leakey, Pearsall, and Camp Wood, Texas. He graduated from high school in Camp Wood in May of 1947. He loved telling people, “I graduated 3rd in my class…out of 4.” He was an outstanding athlete during his school days and went on to play football and baseball at Uvalde Junior College and Sul Ross State University.

 C.R. met the love of his life, Joyce Balzen, at a Camp Wood HS vs. Knippa HS football game. He saw her on the sideline in her cheerleading uniform and asked someone who she was. They dated for two years and eventually married on November 12, 1948. While he was pursuing his dream of playing semi-pro baseball, they started their family and moved quite often. He enlisted in the United States Marines in 1951. Due to his mother already having two sons killed in combat in Italy and Korea, Stubby was honorably discharged 10 days prior to deploying. C.R. and Joyce moved their family to Taft in the early 1950’s where they raised their four children and lived until early 2022. He worked at Reynolds Metals Aluminum Co, starting as a laborer down in the plant, and later worked his way up to Purchasing Agent. He retired after 44 years at Reynolds.

Stubby loved his town of Taft and was very involved in the community. He served on the Taft School Board for 12 years, was a member of the City Council, Taft Chamber of Commerce, Taft Rotary Club, board member of the Taft Housing Authority, Chairman of the Taft Boll Weevil Commission, member of the Jaycee’s, and served as Municipal Judge for the city. C.R. was president of the Taft Little League for 2 years, and coached the Dodgers Little League team for 20 years. He served in the Taft Band Boosters and was a member of the Taft Blackland Commission for 7 years. In 1983, C.R. was awarded the Taft Chamber of Commerce “Humanitarian of the Year” award. He loved the town of Taft and served it well for many years.

Our C.R. loved his family more than anything in the world. He was so proud of each and every one of his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. There was nothing more important to him than his family and being with his kids and grandkids. There are so many special memories of family holidays, birthdays, etc., especially ones spent at our family home in Concan, Texas. He loved being with family, sitting in the Frio River, and talking with tubers as they came by. He also loved taking his grandchildren tubing, which he did well into his later years. He was a man of genuine kindness and had the biggest heart of all.

After leaving their home in Taft, C.R. and Joyce moved to Brookdale Senior Living in Portland where he resided for 3 years until his passing. He quickly met new friends and was a regular at the bingo table. He always had a positive, caring attitude, and greeted everyone with a smile, hug, and a witty comment.

C.R. was preceded in death by many loved ones and close friends. He is survived by his wife of 76 years, Joyce Marsh, and their children – Carlton Ray “Sandy” Marsh, Jr., Debie Duprie (Don), Jenda Marsh Miller, and Terri Ritchie Dewbre (Jerry). He is also survived by his grandchildren – Clay Nance (Jill), Justin Duprie (Josh), Jacey Duprie, Kerry Simmons (Zach), Jacelyn Ritchie, Wesley Ritchie (Kristin), Allison Sims (Aaron), and Kendall Hoog (Kit). He also has 13 great-grandchildren – Reese, Maddy, and Kate Nance, Finn Duprie, June and Hugh Leavitt (Duprie), Gehrig and Mack Simmons, Joy Ritchie and baby Ritchie due in May, Ruth and Hank Sims, and Stella Hoog.

The family wishes to thank the wonderful and caring staff at Brookdale, as well as the staff at Harbor Hospice Facility for their kindness during his short stay there.

Visitation will be held on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Winsteads' Funeral Home in Portland, TX, followed by a memorial service at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made in his name to the Taft Blackland Museum, 301 Green Avenue, Taft, TX 78390, (361)-528-2206. If you wish to send a card to Joyce, please send it to Brookdale Senior Living at 401 Northshore Blvd, Portland, TX 78374.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Winsteads’ Funeral Home. (361) 643-6564 www.winsteadsfuneralhome.com