Pastor Ron Marsh

Pastor Ronald John Marsh Sr., 77, of Grants Pass, Oregon, went home to be with the Lord at 12:08 p.m. on Tuesday, February 23, 2021. He was ushered into the presence of God with his wife of 58 years, Gayle, and their children by his side.

Ron was a faithful, dedicated, and vibrant man who loved the Lord, his wife, family, and church. He was born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and later moved to Anaheim, California. There, he met and married his high school sweetheart, Gayle, and joined the Navy on the USS Kitty Hawk, an aircraft carrier based out of San Diego. They moved to Grants Pass, Oregon, in 1969, where he worked for several years at Safeway and Albertsons before owning Jerome Prairie Meats for 13 years.

In the early ‘80s, Ron and Gayle were introduced to Christ at Parkway Christian Center (then First Assembly of God). Their passion for the Lord and desire to follow Christ led them to Salem Bible College, where he received his ministry credentials while pursuing his new life calling as a pastor. After serving in Salem with Dennis and Jeanette Webber, and as lead pastor in Garibaldi, Oregon, Pastor Webber called him back to Grants Pass to serve as an associate pastor in 2001 at Parkway Christian Center. Ron served faithfully in many different capacities for another 20 years at Parkway. He also served as president of the Greater Grants Pass Rotary, president of Faith House, board chairman of the ROC and a board member of the Grants Pass Mission.

Ron is survived by his wife Gayle; three adult children, Sheryl Lellis, Janeen Boka and Ron Marsh Jr.; his brother, Bill; and sister, Audrey. He also had ten grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Ron’s legacy of loving people and connecting them to the life-saving hope found in Christ will continue through the many lives he touched along the way. He was loved deeply, respected and admired. His absence will be felt in the days ahead.

Ron would want us to know the words of Paul when it comes to the end of his life on earth, “We do not grieve as those who have no hope.” Take heart believer, we will see him again!

A memorial service will be at Parkway Christian Center, 229 NE Beacon Dr., Grants Pass, on Monday, March 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. The family is requesting the attendees to please wear a mask.