James Allen Marbut was born February 17, 1945 and he passed away in his home in Snead Alabama, surrounded by friends and family on February 18, 2021.  He is survived by Sheila his loving wife of 52 years.  His three children Kenny Marbut, Tina (Tim) Bowlin, and Joil (Leah) Marbut. Nine grandchildren Zach (Chelsea) Marbut, Summer Marbut, Chloe Bowling, Dakota Hoffman, Alix Hoffman, Drew Marbut, Will Marbut, Emelia Marbut and James Aidan Marbut.  His two great-grandchildren Beckham James Marbut and Genevieve Marbut.  One very special aunt, Izella Proctor and a host of special nieces, nephews and cousins, that he loved and cherished dearly.

Those of us who celebrate his life have a common bond. Whether you knew him as Jim, Al, Big Daddy, Pawpaw, Big Papa, or Pops is not what matters, he treated everyone the same.  He touched the lives of many that he served with during his 31 years of active military service. Then during his post military career of more than 20 years as drug and alcohol counselor in Blount County, he helped numerous addicts along the road to sobriety.  Yet most who knew him were impacted by the genuine and simplistic faith in Jesus Christ that he modeled as an elder in Anchor ' s Church for more than 20 years.  It wasn ' t his wealth that is admired, it wasn ' t his intellect, it wasn ' t his personal accomplishments in a certain field of work or study.  No, it is simply much more profound than any of those.  In a world that seems full of " takers " he was a " giver " .  A giver of life, a giver of encouragement, a giver of service, a giver of love, a giver of true and faithful friendship, a giver of joy, a giver of blessings, a giver of faith not only his faith in God, but his faith in his neighbor.

Yet still in our lives, it is apparent that a mighty oak has fallen, and just as in the forest, there is a void in our hearts.  When a mighty oak falls, it might not be visible, but it continues to live, because of its potential to other mighty oaks.  Now we are tasked to strive to fill that void.  Because that is what Jim Marbut would have wanted, for his passing from life to true life, to change us and the way we live.  That in a world filled with takers his example would serve us as a reminder to be givers.  Givers of life, givers of encouragement, givers of service, givers of love, givers of true and faithful friendships, givers of joy, givers of blessings, givers of faith in God and our neighbor.

The funeral will be officiated by Bill McDonald, Terry Marbut, Kenny Marbut, Jerry Boone and Joil Marbut. The arrangements are as follows; A memorial service in his honor will be held Sunday at 10am, February 21st at Anchors Church in Oneonta, Alabama. A viewing Monday, February 22nd at Snead Funeral Home from 5-6pm for family and 6-8pm for public. Additional viewing on Tuesday February 23rd from 12-2pm at Anchors Church in Oneonta, with funeral service beginning at 2pm.

He will be laid to rest with full military honors at Bethel Cemetery, on February 23rd 2021 immediately following the funeral service . Pallbearers will be his grandsons, Zach Marbut, Drew Marbut, Will Marbut, and James Aidan Marbut , as well as Buford Maltbie, Chuck Jackson, Mike Gordon and Jerry Boone. Honorary p allbearers will be Kevin Marbut and Debo Payne.