Harold W. "Coach Hal" Schoonover

In loving memory of "Coach Hal" Schoonover who lived a life of service and faith and was called home to be with his Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 12, 2008 at the age of 87, after a year long battle to recover from a fall.

He was born in Huntington, West Virginia on July 18, 1920 and had resided in Akron, Ohio since 1921.

Growing up, Hal attended Betty Jane Elementary School and East High School where he lettered all four years in baseball. He went on to play baseball for Kent State lettering in 1947, '48 and '49 and was elected team Captain for the 1949 season.

Since his graduation from Kent State, he became a strong leader in the community. The Akron Beacon Journal in a bio-in- brief listed some of the 15 organizations for which he served as President. Among them, President of Kent's Blue and Gold and the Varsity K, also the West Akron Kiwanis Club, the Akron Touchdown Club, Summit County Hall of Fame and the PTA. In 1966, he was Kiwanis International, Lt Gov of Ohio and for many years he was Housing Corp President for Sigma Nu Fraternity at Kent State where he as be referred to as 'Mr. Sigma Nu'.

In addition, he received the Kent State Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award in 1993 and served as Chairman of the Summit County Hall of Fame Executive Committee in 1994. He also served as Chairman of their banquet for 16 years. He held seats on the boards of the Akron Jaycees and the Akron Golf Classic. In 1989, he gladly served as Chairman of his 50th reunion for the Class of '39 East High School.

As a member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church for 57 years he served as Trustee, Deacon, Head of Stewardship and later Treasurer of the church until his illness in late 2006.

Hal has been honored for his baseball talent by being inducted into the East High School Hall of Fame, the Greater Akron Baseball Hall of Fame, Summit County Hall of Fame and the Kent State University Hall of Fame. In addition, in 1993, the Blue and Gold Room in the MAC Center at Kent State was named after Hal & Julia Schoonover. In 2006, the new state of the art baseball facility at Kent was named Schoonover Stadium in their honor.

Professionally, after graduating from Kent State with a BA '49 and a MA '51 in Education, Hal taught in the Akron school system and coached baseball, football and track at North and Buchtel before moving to Simon Perkins. Later, he was general sales Manager for American Hostess Corp before taking executive positions with F. E. Compton Company and Encyclopedia Britannica. He retired from the Akron Municipal Court in 1987.

Throughout his sons Steve and Rick's career at Fibrebond Corporation and more recently Cellxion, LLC, their Dad served as an invaluable sales advisor, counselor and motivator and made an impact there that will never be forgotten.

Mr. Schoonover was preceded in death by his mother, Irene and father, Fred, Sr.; brothers, Fred, Jr. of Akron, Ohio, and Earl of Sebring, Florida.

Hal is survived by his loving wife of 66 years, Julia Camp Schoonover; his brother, Dick; and sister, Marlene both of Akron. He also leaves behind his beloved children, two sons, Steve and wife, Barbara of Minden, Louisiana and Rick and wife, Karen of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and one daughter, Sheri and husband, Wade Merrow of Uniontown, Ohio. Hal also leaves behind to honor his memory, many loving grandchildren and great grandchildren; Kristen and husband, Jeff Erler and daughters, Kaleigh and Kenadee of Dallas, Texas; Michelle and husband, Brian Payne and son, Brett and daughters, Lauren and Ashley of Houston, Texas; Brett and wife, Anne-Marie and son, Alex of Shreveport, Louisiana; David Schoonover of Dallas, Texas; Melissa Schoonover of Houston, Texas; and Krystle and Sarah Merrow of Uniontown, Ohio.

Calling hours will be held with the family on Wednesday evening, January 16 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Bokas-Rose Hill Chapel, 3653 W. Market St., Akron, Ohio 44343. Visitation will also be held at the church Thursday, January 17, 2008 at 10 a.m. followed by services at 11 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1250 W. Exchange Street, Akron, Ohio, 44313. Refreshments and a light lunch will be served in Wright Hall following the service. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Kent State University's Schoonover Stadium, P.O. Box 5190, Kent, OH 44242-001.

The family wishes to thank the many Nurses and Doctors at Akron General including; the Dialysis Center who treated our Father this past year. We would also like to thank the staff of White Pond Dialysis for their care and professionalism.