John "Jack" R Hill

John R. “Jack” Hill, 92, of Kent, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2021, with his children by his side.  He was born on October 2, 1928 in Alliance to the late Ira B Hill and Dorothy P Hill.

After his family moved many times during the great depression, they eventually settled in Kent.  Jack graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1946.  He immediately enlisted in the Marines in 1946, and was honorably discharged in 1948.  In 1949, he found and married the love of his life, Amelia Visca.  He went on to college and graduated in 1952 with a degree in education and in 1954, with a master’s degree in administration, both from Kent State University.  Jack was a lifelong member of the Kent State Blue and Gold Club.

Jack began his career in education as a teacher/principal at South School in Kent.  He later was hired as the principal at Holden Elementary and then Longcoy Elementary, also in Kent.  He retired from the education field in 1981.

After retirement, Jack sold insurance for 8 years for the Hall-Green Agency and then spent some years taking video court depositions for Fred Palcho.  He then spent many years working part-time at Oak Knolls Golf Course in between his many rounds of golf (which included 2 holes-in-one). Along with being an avid golfer, Jack was also a skilled bowler but never achieved that elusive “300” game.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife, Amelia, after 71 years of marriage, his parents, brother, Frank G Hill, sister, Elizabeth Hill Smith and son-in-law, Patrick Burniston.

Jack is survived by his children, Rick (Peggy) Hill, Gibsonia, PA, Debbie Burniston, Kathy (Tim) Steiner and Christine (Randy) Hill, of Brimfield.  He was blessed with eight grandchildren, Jennifer (Mike) Wohlwend, Brian (Janie) Vair, Matthew Burniston, Jeffrey (Melissa) Burniston, Jonathan (Michelle) Hill, Steven (Katelyn) Hill, Madeline Staats, and Alexandra Staats, as well as eight great-grandchildren.  Jack is also survived by his brother, Gene (Polly) Hill, Cuyahoga Falls.

The family would especially like to thank Jack’s care team at Kent Ridge Senior Living and Traditions Health Hospice Care for their kindness and dedicated care.

In honoring his request, cremation has already taken place and a private memorial service with military honors will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Legion, 1945 Mogadore Rd, Kent, OH 44199 or Wounded Warriors at https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.