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George Nash Jr.

1932-2016

HOWLAND — George Arrel Nash Jr., 84, of Howland, passed away Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016, from complications of a stroke.

George was born Jan. 3, 1932, in Youngstown, to Virginia Wick and George Arrel Nash, who preceded him in death.

George was a descendant of the Arrel family who were early settlers of Poland, Ohio. It was in Poland that George developed a lifelong love of nature and animals while working on the Arrel farm and exploring the Poland Woods.

His high school years were spent in Conneaut, Ohio, where he played tennis, kayaked on Lake Erie, and rode horses — including a trip back to Poland–with his best friend, Tom Waddle, who was like a brother to George. He graduated from Rowe High School in Conneaut, then left home for college at Miami University in Oxford. There he was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity and began naval officer training in the ROTC program.

After graduating from Miami in 1953, George toured the world as a lieutenant with the United States Navy. He served as chief engineer aboard the destroyer USS Hale. During his service, he earned the Order of Magellan certificate for circumnavigating the globe and the Domain of the Golden Dragon for crossing the international dateline.

When George returned from the service, he met and married Martha Jane Campbell, with whom he shared his life for over 60 years.

He was employed for 33 years by Packard Electric before retiring in 1988 as a divisional buyer.

In his retirement, George enjoyed sailing from his cottage at Pymatuning Lake, traveling with Janie and friends, bicycling with his buddy Tom Waddle, walking his dog Lucy at Mosquito Lake, and enjoying the beach, birds and wildlife while wintering in Florida.

George was active for many years at Howland Community Church as a Sunday school teacher, deacon and trustee. He also served as a trustee at Central Christian Church of Warren, where he was a member. He also built houses as a Habitat for Humanity volunteer in Immokalee, Fla.

George is survived by his loving wife, Janie; daughter, Virginia Gibson (J. Thomas) Strock of Nashport; two grandsons, Donn Thomas (Amanda) Strock of Grove City; and Arrel Kirtland Strock of Orlando, Fla.; and a great-granddaughter, Ruby Leigh Strock.

The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2016, at Lane Family Funeral Homes, Roberts-Clark Chapel in Warren, and also one hour prior to the 2 p.m. Celebration of Life service Thursday at the Central Christian Church, 251 East Market St. in Warren with Pastors Marc Runyon and Mary Ann Short officiating.

A private family burial will be at Poland Riverside Cemetery, Poland.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in George’s memory to Central Christian Church, 251 East Market St., Warren, OH  44483; Howland Community Church, 198 Niles-Cortland Road SE, Warren, OH 44484; or the Salvation Army, Warren Citadel, 270 Franklin St. SE, Warren,OH 44483.

Online condolences may be made to the family and the obituary viewed at www.robertsclarkchapel.com

(special notice)