Charles Daniel Minor

Charles Daniel Minor, age 86, April 6, 2014. He was born on May 28, 1927 in Columbus to the late Helen Bergman and Walter Henry Minor. He graduated from Upper Arlington High School in 1945 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served in the Pacific Campaign. After the service, he enrolled in the Ohio State University where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi and Phi Beta Kappa. He then entered the OSU College of Law where he was an editor of the OSU Law Journal. It was during his time in law school that he met Mary Jo Klinker, who became the love of his life. They married in 1950 and shared a life together for over 58 years. Upon graduation from the college of law in 1952, he joined the Columbus law firm of Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease, where he quickly rose to become a partner and practiced until his retirement in 1992. Dan was the head of the firm’s Labor Law practice and was recognized as one of the pre-eminent labor lawyers in the Midwest representing management. He taught his specialty at the OSU College of Law as an adjunct professor. He served for many years as a member of the Board of Directors of Worthington Industries, Inc., and also served as a director of Honda North America, Inc. During his tenure at Vorys, the firm grew from a dozen lawyers on East Gay Street to an institution with offices in five cities. Dan contributed to the firm in many ways, but perhaps his most important professional legacy was that the character of the firm reflected the values that he embraced.

Dan had many interests and enjoyed life immensely. He was an avid golfer and was a member of Scioto Country Club, Double Eagle Golf Club, The Golf Club, Royal Poinciana Country Club (Naples, FL) and Pelican Bay Club (Naples, FL). He enjoyed trout fishing at Briarwood and fishing the mangroves and off shore in Southwest Florida. He was comfortable with people from all walks of life and they with him. He was generous, genuine, kind and respectful, attributes that contributed to his personal and professional success. His sense of humor, often self-deprecating, was a gift and an asset. People wanted to be around Dan, to listen to his stories and to share in conversations about his, and more often than not, their interests. Dan will be remembered for his keen mind, his quick wit, and a manner that allowed the people that he met to feel like they had known him as a friend. Most of all, though, he and Mary Jo enjoyed a wonderful life together of travel, golf, family and many friends. Their devotion to each other was truly special and made their lives so very rich.

Dan was preceded in death by Mary Jo. He will be terribly missed by all who knew and loved him, but especially by his children and their families Beth (Mike) Chambers, Daniel J. (Kate) Minor, and Amy (Alan) Ashworth, grandchildren Ben ( Kim ) Chambers, Chelsea (Rich) Miller, Charlie (Stephanie ) Minor, John Minor, Sam Ashworth, Maggie Minor, Alex Ashworth, great grandchildren Connor and Story Miller and Kincaid Chambers, and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday morning at 11:00 at First Community Church, 1320 Cambridge Blvd., Columbus 43212. Immediately following the memorial service, the family will receive friends at Scioto Country Club, 2196 Riverside Drive, Columbus 43221.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Riverside Methodist Advanced Heart and Vascular Center at McConnell Heart Hospital.

Arrangements by the Schoedinger-Northwest Chapel. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Charles Minor.