News

Jim Marshall, a stockbroker, Rotarian, charitable donor, dies at age 87

By Bill Moss, Published: April 8, 2013

James W. "Jim" Marshall Jr., one of the earliest stockbrokers in Hendersonville, a lifelong Rotarian, civic activist and supporter of local charities, died Monday at Elizabeth House after an illness of several weeks. He was 87.

A furniture salesman turned stockbroker, Marshall prospered with a salesman's skill and sociability. He had one of the first tickertape machines in Hendersonville, and thus had access to news bulletins before the rest of the town. He built an impressive portfolio guiding clients' investments.
"He was like the broker to the stars," said Jeff Miller, a close family friend. "He had a book anybody would have killed for." Miller and his business partner, James W. "Jim" Marshall III, are married to sisters, Tamara and Tiffany.
"Big Jim," as family and friends called him, was a longtime Rotarian. Bill Stricker Sr. was a close friend and fellow World War II veteran.
"He was a great guy," he said. "He sat right next to me for many years."
Stricker had known Marshall since 1982, when Stricker came to Hendersonville.
Marshall's wife, Sarah Hunsucker "Cosy" Marshall, died on Feb. 13, 2012. The couple had been married for 56 years.
"He wanted to go join Cosy, I know that," said Stricker, who had visited Marshall Saturday night at Pardee Hospital before family members moved Marshall to the Elizabeth House.
Thos. Shepherd & Son Funeral Directors is handling arrangements. A visitation will be held Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday at St. James Episcopal Church, where the Marshalls were longtime, active members.
Survivors include sons Thomas L. Marshall of Hendersonville, who is named for Big Jim's brother, Thomas Lees Marshall, who was killed in World War II; James W. Marshall III and his wife, Tiffany, of Hendersonville, and Frank H. Marshall and his wife, Lauren, of Asheville; and grandchildren Henry H. "Hank" Marshall, Wesleigh M. Marshall, Sarah Genevieve Marshall and Louisa E. Marshall.