John L. Back

Raised on a farm in Blacklick, he was a graduate of Gahanna Lincoln High School, lettering in football. After high school graduation, he began his life-long career in the lumber industry, holding various positions at several lumber mills and sales offices throughout central Ohio. He was a true carpenter and wood worker who could create, plan and build anything, using wood, a rule, and his mathematic mind.

In 1957 John married Sally Piper, whom he had met and immediately fell in love with through a blind date. He was later drafted into the United States Army, where he served honorably in the Korean War. Throughout his life, he served as a church deacon and supported various charities. He enjoyed walks, outdoors, and trips to the Great Smokey Mountains in Tennessee and Amish Country in Ohio.

He was an avid reader of the Columbus Dispatch and the Buckeye Sports Bulletin (and anything else THE Ohio State University Buckeyes football or basketball related). John loved cheeseburgers (from White Castle and Wendy’s) and chocolate shakes (from Dairy Queen), and believed dessert should be included in EVERY meal. He will be remembered and admired most by those who knew and loved him for his genuine humility, compassion, and his quiet, yet sneakily sarcastic, sense of humor.

John is preceded in death by his parents, Thomas and Christine (Metcalf) Back; siblings Lucille Rismiller, Thomas Back, James Back and Robert Back; and his loving wife of 50 years, Sally (Piper) Back.

He is survived by his caring daughters, Christy LeClaire and Jill Back Hillman Walker (Chad); grandsons, Christopher Murphy and Blake Hillman; and his life partner of 16 years, Jackie Hendrickson.

Family will receive guests at Schoedinger Margarum Northeast Funeral Home, 1051 E. Johnstown Rd, Gahanna, OH 43230 on Friday, Dec. 27 from 12pm – 1pm, with a memorial service beginning at 1pm. Services will conclude with inurnment and military honors at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, 5600 E Broad St, Columbus OH 43213.

In honor of John’s casual, Buckeye-loving nature, family and friends are encouraged to dress casually and/or in their favorite scarlet and gray attire.

In addition, whenever you think of him in the future, pay it forward and anonymously buy a stranger a chocolate shake. He’d like that.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of John L. Back, to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org).