John V. McDowell, Jr.

John V. McDowell Jr., 98, passed away on August 5, 2025 in Akron OH. Johnny was born on November 1, 1926 in Barberton to Vance and Jeanette McDowell. He graduated from Kenmore High School in 1944, then joined the U.S. Navy where he served as a hospital apprentice 1st Class through the end of World War II. From 1948 to 1953 Johnny attended Ohio Northern University where he met his future wife, Sally Lou Huff, and they were married in 1951. While at ONU, Johnny lettered in basketball, football, and baseball, eventually concentrating on basketball where, during the 1949 season, he was honored as the team's most valuable player. Years later in 1987, Johnny was inducted into the ONU Hall of Fame for athletics. After graduating in Pharmacy, he joined his father Vance at McDowell's Pharmacy on Kenmore Blvd, a store that Vance and his brother Jay had opened in 1920. The pharmacy finally closed its doors for the last time in 1994 after 74 years in business. Johnny then finished his career at Acme Pharmacy in Kenmore. Sally and Johnny spent many of their 74 years of marriage living in an old lakefront house on West Reservoir in Portage Lakes which is graced by large old oak trees. It was a wonderful setting for family gatherings that involved picnics and swimming in the summer and ice skating and hockey in the winter. Johnny and Sally were known to be showstoppers on the dance floor, especially to the sound of big band era music. In the 1950's and 60's Johnny was an avid bowler competing in many tournaments. Later in the 1960's and 70's he enjoyed skippering his wooden boat "JALSHKM" on Lake Erie with his whole family and dog Munster. After retiring as a pharmacist, he served for several years as a volunteer Tract Treker in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, a place he'd loved as a boy, spending parts of each summer at Manatoc Boy Scout camp. When his children were young, on cold winter nights with flames dancing in the fireplace, he loved to pull his copy of Robert Service's "The Spell of the Yukon" off the shelf and read poems to them. "The Cremation of Sam McGee" was his favorite. Johnny also enjoyed following high school and college football & basketball and spent many a fall evening cheering on his favorite team from a cold seat in stadiums like the Rubber Bowl, or from a warm seat in some overheated gym. He was a big fan of the Indians, the Browns and the Cavs. He had a great memory for past games & sports stats; sports were his passion. On various camping & boating trips he helped instill a strong love of nature & the outdoors in all of his children.

The family is grateful for the life-long friendship of the Rakoci family, the kindness of Eric and other fine neighbors, and the compassionate care of the Hospice Unit at Summa in Akron.

Johnny was preceded in death by his parents and sister Jane.

He is survived by his wife Sally, and his children Lizabeth, Allyson, Kyle and Heidi (Frank); grandchildren, Jesse (Jackie), Anna (Dan), Daniel (Melissa), Rebecca, Hannah (Dylan), Molly (Joe) and Nathan; great grandchildren, Jude, Finn, Reid and Ryker.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Conservancy for CVNP in memory of John V. McDowell Jr., conservancyforcvnp.org