John Henry Marsh

John Henry Marsh, a man full of smiles and good nature, peacefully passed away June 24, 2024 with his family by his side. 

John was born November 13,1934 in Alva, Oklahoma, the youngest of five children of Walter P. and Mildred Marsh. The Marsh family later moved to El Reno, where John graduated from El Reno High School where he was a member of the A Capella Choir, Boys Chorus, Boys Quartet and the football team.

 After graduating from high school, John joined the U.S. Armed Forces earning the rank of Sergeant and awarded the G.I. Bill. It was then when he began dating Shirley Williams; they married in 1959. After achieving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from The University of Oklahoma, he was awarded a scholarship to pursue and subsequently received a Masters Degree in Environmental Science/Water Resources. John was elected to Tau Beta Pi, Engineering Honor Society, in 1960. 

John then went to work for the Bureau of Reclamation, first in Denver, Colorado and then transferred to Norman to work on the planning of Oklahoma’s Lake Thunderbird. In 1964, he moved his young family to St. Paul, Minnesota to work for the Johnson Well Screens Company. While there, John provided consulting services for ground water development in a ten-state area. This work also took him to Ankara, Turkey as a ground water consultant to the Turkish Government.

 After the Johnson Company sold, John moved his family back to Norman and established Engineering Enterprises in 1968. It started in a small garage converted to an office and his wife taking the role as secretary. Engineering Enterprises became one of the most remarkable engineering consulting firms in the state with a national and international reputation. John wrote widely in the field of water utilization and is the author of more than a dozen technical articles and professional papers. After decades of success, he sold the company. John then took up golfing until suffering a major stroke in 2006.

 John loved to sing! He grew up singing with his family. His father, brothers and he formed a barbershop quartet named “The Marshmelodiers”. They entertained at the drop of a hat! He also participated in the Red Stocking Follies, Sooner Theater Follies and sang “The Lord’s Prayer” at dozens of weddings and funerals.

 John served on the Norman City Council from 1976 through 1978. In 1984 he was awarded the “Small Business Person of the Year” by the Norman Chamber of Commerce.

 John participated in all his children’s activities including PTA President at both Elementary and Middle Schools. He attended countless ballgames, dance recitals, vocal concerts, band concerts, and piano recitals. John sold hotdogs at Little League baseball games to raise money to finish air conditioning Andrew Jackson Elementary School. John and Shirley took their entire family, including grandkids, on many memorable trips. He was a devoted Sooner fan and season ticket holder. John loved entertaining; he was such a fun loving person. He thrived on the company of friends, enjoyed a good laugh, and had a love of singing that was only outweighed by his love for his family. John was loved deeply by his family and many, many friends. 

 John Henry Marsh was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Mary Cornelsen and husband Edsel, Martha (Marty) Marsh; brothers Walter P., Jr. (Bud) Marsh and wife Mariella, and Josephus (Joe) Marsh. 

 He is survived by his wife Shirley Marsh; children Lezlie Marsh, Sam Marsh, Lisa Marsh, Amy Fleming and husband Brian; grandchildren Lane Tinsley and husband Mike, Parker Pilkington and husband Morris, Carly Donnell and husband Michael, Riley Fleming, Peyton Fleming and Reed Fleming; great grandchildren Jack and Grace Tinsley, Dillon, Owen, Olivia and Cade Donnell, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

 At John’s request there will be no funeral. Friends and family are invited to gather and celebrate him on July 12th between 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm at Legends Restaurant, 1313 W. Lindsey Street, Norman OK 73069