Dr. John C. Jacobs

John Cochran Jacobs, 97, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. He was born on December 29, 1927 in Kent, OH to the late Homer Lee “Red” and Mary Alice Cochran “Pinkey” Jacobs. John was delivered by Dr. Nick Ulrich, who founded the Osteopathic Medical practice which John became affiliated with in 1954 and wherein he practiced for 39 years.

He attended Kent Schools and Kent State University High School, where he graduated from in 1945. He was active in band, orchestra and solo instrumental music. In his junior year, he was elected to the National Honor Society and was president of the High-Y chapter.

When John was young, he had a paper route with the local Akron Beacon Journal news agency. While in high school, he began working at Longcoy’s Grocery Store in downtown Kent for Harry Longcoy and David Longcoy (later to become his father-in-law).

In the spring of 1946, John enlisted in the United States Army and served in the 38th Regimental Combat Team of the 2nd Indianhead Division, which underwent Mountain and Winter Warfare training in Colorado. He was cadre for skiing and rock climbing until he was discharged in 1947 and returned to Kent State University.

He matriculated to The Philadelphia College of Osteopathy in the fall of 1949. In 1950 he and Jean Longcoy were married and lived in Philadelphia until John graduated in 1953.

Upon graduation from medical school, John interned at Bay View Hospital in Bay Village, OH. In 1954, he and Jean returned to Kent where John joined Dr. Donald Ulrich in practice. His hospital affiliation was with Green Cross Hospital (later Western Reserve Hospital) until 1976 when he and his then associate, Dr. Jon Sally, became affiliated with Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna. This affiliation was maintained until his retirement on May 31, 1993.

John was active in several organizations including, Kent Jaycee’s, member and past president of the Kent Board of Health, Attending Physician with Kent Visiting Nurse Association Well Child Clinic, Co-Medical Director of The Townhall II Medical Clinic, member and past president of the Kent Chapter of The American Field Service, past president of the Medical Staff at Cuyahoga Falls General Hospital (first Osteopathic Physician to hold that office), American Osteopathic Association, Ohio Osteopathic Association, Eighth District Academy of Osteopathic Medicine, American Medical Association, board member of the Pioneer Cemetery Preservation Group, was active in B.O.A.R.D., a group of physicians retired from Robinson Memorial Hospital and was certified in General Practice by The American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians.

John leaves his loving wife of 74 years, Jean Longcoy Jacobs; children, Stephen Jay (Sally) Jacobs of Streetsboro, Jan Lou (Charles) Donohue of Ravenna; grandson Jordan David (Laura) Jacobs and great grandson Jasper.

In honoring his wishes, John will be cremated and laid to rest at Standing Rock Cemetery.

Services in the care of Bissler and Sons Funeral Home and Crematory, 628 W. Main St. Kent, OH 44240.