If you’ve spent any amount of time in Las Vegas, you know the name Jim Marsh. You’ve likely seen the commercials. You know, the ones where his daughter, Stacy, is playfully poking fun at him while he stands there looking like the classic, somewhat stoic car dealer we’ve all come to recognize. Because he’s been a fixture of Nevada for decades, people start wondering. They see the white hair, they think about how long he's been on their TV screens, and the question starts trending: is Jim Marsh still alive?
It’s a fair question. Especially when there are actually two very famous men with that exact name who made massive impacts on the West Coast. One was a professional basketball player and beloved broadcaster. The other is the king of Las Vegas Jeep dealerships and rural Nevada gambling.
To get straight to the point for the desert dwellers: Yes. Jim Marsh, the legendary Las Vegas auto mogul and gaming entrepreneur, is very much alive.
As of early 2026, he’s not just "around"—he’s still active. He’s 92 years old and continues to be a force in the Nevada business world. Honestly, the guy has more energy than people half his age. Just last year, he was back in front of gaming regulators getting licensed for a small property in Goldfield.
Why People Think He Passed Away
The confusion usually stems from two places. First, there’s the inevitable passage of time. When a public figure has been active since the early 1970s, the internet naturally gets curious about their health.
Second, and more importantly, a different Jim Marsh—the former NBA player—did pass away.
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James "Jim" Marsh, who played for the USC Trojans and later the Portland Trail Blazers, died on August 12, 2019. He was 73. That Jim Marsh was a legend in the Seattle basketball community. He spent years as a broadcaster for the SuperSonics and was a massive mentor to youth through "Friends of Hoop." He battled Parkinson’s disease for fifteen years before he passed.
When that news broke, headlines across the West Coast read "Jim Marsh Dies at 73." If you’re a Las Vegas local who only knows the car dealer, it’s easy to see how a quick glance at a headline could lead to a permanent misunderstanding.
The Man, The Myth, The Las Vegas Legend
The Jim Marsh people usually mean when they ask is Jim Marsh still alive is the one who moved to Vegas in 1971. He started with American Auto Mart. Since then, he’s built an empire.
He didn't just sell cars. He became a "rural Nevada enthusiast." While other moguls were building mega-resorts on the Strip, Marsh was out in places like Tonopah, Goldfield, and the Amargosa Valley. He bought the Santa Fe Saloon. He built the Longstreet Inn & Casino. He’s essentially the patron saint of Nevada’s "middle of nowhere."
The 92-Year-Old Entrepreneur
What's wild about Marsh is his longevity in business. Most people are looking for a rocking chair by 75. Not Jim.
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- He’s still getting licensed: In 2025, he was approved for slot machines at the Occidental Saloon in Goldfield.
- The Dealerships: Jim Marsh Chrysler Jeep and Jim Marsh Kia are still major players in the Northwest part of the valley.
- The Personality: He still shows up. He still tells stories. He still cares about the history of Nevada more than almost anyone you’ll meet.
He actually made history in the 70s by having the only car dealership in the world with legalized gambling inside. He fought the county to put antique slot machines right on the showroom floor. He won. That kind of "old school Vegas" grit is why people are so invested in knowing he’s still doing his thing.
Different Men, Same Name
It’s worth breaking down the "other" Jim Marshes to clear up the Google search results that might be confusing you.
- The NBA/Sonics Jim Marsh: Passed away in 2019. Portland Trail Blazer, USC star, Seattle Sonics announcer. This is the death notice that usually triggers the "is he dead?" rumors for the car guy.
- The Florida Jim Marsh: James Winfield Marsh passed away in January 2024 at age 85. He was a beloved community member in DeFuniak Springs and known for being "Emmett the Clown."
- The Michigan Marsh Brothers: You might see news about the "Bill Marsh Auto Group" selling their dealerships in 2024. That’s a different family entirely, though they are also huge in the car world.
Why the Las Vegas Jim Marsh Still Matters
In a city that implodes its history every ten years to build something shinier, Jim Marsh is a living bridge to the past. He remembers when Eastern and Sahara was the place to be. He remembers the old gaming regulators. He’s a storyteller.
Whenever someone asks is Jim Marsh still alive, they aren’t just looking for a heartbeat. They’re looking for reassurance that the "Old Nevada" hasn’t completely vanished.
His dealership on Centennial Parkway remains a landmark. He survived the 2009 automotive crisis when Chrysler tried to pull his franchise. He fought them in court for seven years—all the way to the Supreme Court's doorstep—and he won his franchise back. You don't bet against a guy like that.
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Summary of the Current Status
So, to put the rumors to rest:
The Las Vegas car dealer and rural gaming mogul Jim Marsh is alive and well at 92. He is still working, still involved in his properties, and still a fixture of the community. The reports of a "Jim Marsh" passing away almost certainly refer to the basketball star in 2019 or other private individuals with the same name.
If you want to see the man himself, your best bet is to head toward the Northwest part of Las Vegas or take a drive through the historic mining towns of central Nevada. He’s probably there, planning his next move or telling a story about the way things used to be.
Actionable Insight: If you're researching a public figure's status, always cross-reference their location and profession. "Jim Marsh" is a surprisingly common name in the business and sports worlds. For the most accurate updates on the Las Vegas Jim Marsh, check the Nevada Gaming Commission's licensing logs or the official Jim Marsh Automotive social media pages, which remain active with current dealership news and community involvement.