Randal Steven "Randy" Marsh

On March 19, 2024, Randal (“Randy”) Steven Marsh returned home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Matthew 25:40 records the words of Jesus as he spoke to his disciples on the Mount of Olives of the judgment of the nations. Scripture records that our Lord said, “And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’” Randy made these words his calling. In his words and actions, he taught, practiced, preached, ministered, and reflected that the least of these were of the utmost and paramount concern in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whether representing clients who could not afford an attorney or ministering from the pulpit of many churches in Watauga County, Randy’s passion was to minister the Gospel of Jesus and help those in need in the community.  

Randy Marsh was born on April 16, 1952 in Boone, NC at the Watauga County Hospital on the campus of Appalachian State University.  He was the second of four boys, born to James and Alma Ruth Marsh. Randy was an active student in school and growing up, he enjoyed bowling, tennis, baseball, Corvettes, and community.  He also attended Governor’s School while in high school.  He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Arts from Appalachian State University and he went on to earn a Juris Doctorate Degree from Baylor School of Law.  While in Texas, he used his industrial arts knowledge to make specialized goods from Texas to bring home to his family in Boone.

In addition to earning his law degree, Randy was involved with Town of Boone politics, serving as a police office and Town Attorney.  His political career continued in Washington D.C., when he served as the U.S. Senate Page to Rufus Edmisten during the Watergate hearings with Senator Sam Ervin.  Randy was honored as a civic serviceman, earning the Boone Jaycee’s Distinguished Service Award. Randy also served as an adjunct professor at ASU, teaching what he had learned about the practice of law.

Randy had the voice of an angel, singing at many church services as well as family weddings and funerals.  His voice in song blessed anyone who heard him and he passed this trait down to many of his children.  He was also an ordained minister whose sermons blessed all that heard them.

Randy married the love of his life, Lisa Brown Marsh over 31 years ago, and they were more than thrilled to spend every waking minute with each other, so Randy proudly bragged that they had really been married for over 62 years.

Before retiring from the practice of law, Randy and Lisa poured their love into an adoption ministry, finishing his career with some of the most rewarding work of all which was to create “forever families” for some of the most precious children across the country.  Randy began and finished everything he did with love.

He is survived by his loving wife, Lisa Marsh, and four adoring children, Justus (Mindy), Caleb (Jessica), Moriah (Josh), and Joshua (Christy), as well as two beautiful stepdaughters, Lauren (Robert), and Brittany (Forrest).  Twenty-four grandchildren loved their “Big D” who include Petra, Michaiah, Layla, Liam, Colin, Lincoln, Bo, Micah, Canaan, Evangeline, Rex, Georgia, Wesley, Hosanna, Zoey, Braxton, Hayden Byron, Elijah, Emma, Eden, Gregory, Nathan, and Noah, as well as a precious great-granddaughter, Bailey.  Survivors also include, three brothers, Jim (Margaret), Lesley (Vickie), and Ronnie (Denise) as well as his father-in-law, mother-in-law, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James and Alma Ruth Marsh as well as his maternal and paternal grandparents.

Funeral services for Randy Marsh will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2:00 PM at First Baptist Church of Boone. Graveside services for family will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to a charity of the donors choice.

Online condolences may be shared at the website www.austinandbarnesfuneralhome.com

Austin and Barnes Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the Marsh family.

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