James F. DeLeone

James F. DeLeone, 89, passed away peacefully after a short illness on August 16, 2015. He was born in Akron, Ohio, on February 19, 1926 to the late Grace F. DeLeone (Cinflona) and William DeLeone. He is preceded in death by his loving wife Mary Ann DeLeone (Sinay) who passed away of an untimely death in 1984 at age 46, and his sister Marilyn and brother-in-law Jack Ryan of West Point, New York.

Jim graduated from Columbus North High School and The Ohio State University, and received a JD from the Ohio State College of Law in 1951. Jim then began a career that balanced his love of people, golf, law and politics. In 1951 he began his legal career as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General under C. William O'Neill; General Counsel at the Ohio Public Utilities Commission and then in 1957 served again as an Ohio Assistant Attorney General under William B. Saxbe. After serving the State of Ohio he entered private law practice in the firm of Topper and Alloway which ultimately grew into the firm of Topper, Alloway, Goodman, DeLeone, and Duffy which in 1986 merged with Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan, and Aronoff.

Jim loved the practice of law, Republican politics and the privilege as a legislative agent to advocate on behalf of his clients before the Ohio General Assembly, Ohio Governors and the U.S. Congress. He found great satisfaction helping people solve their legal challenges.

While attending The Ohio State University, Jim befriended men's golf coach Robert Kepler who would become one of the most influential men in his life. "Kep" taught Jim about golf and more importantly, the value of people and relationships. Kep and Jim spent many hours playing golf, cards, trout fishing and traveling with the OSU men's golf team. Relationships and his legal skills led Jim on many exciting paths, including friendships with many OSU athletic greats. He managed the legal and business affairs of many successful Ohio State, PGA Tour and international golf champions.

The game of golf brought him to many corners of the world and with that many life-long friendships. From Scotland to England, to Northern Ireland and Asia, there was always someone who knew him as "Jim", "Jimmy", "the Judge", or "the Commissioner of All Golf."

Following the death of his beloved wife Mary Ann, Jim dedicated his entire life to his three sons. He believed the greatest gifts he could provide them were his time, attention and the life values associated from the game of golf. He is survived by his three sons and their families: Jeffrey Thomas (Lara) and their children Virginia "Gina" and James; Thomas Andrew (Nicole) and their children Tommy Jr., Jack, and stepdaughter Olivia; and Robert John (Mary) and their children Evan, Isabella, and Alexis.

Jim was a Charter member of the Double Eagle Club, Galena, Ohio; a Member of Prestwick Golf Club, Prestwick, Scotland and a Member of Royal Dornoch Golf Club, Dornoch, Scotland. He was a former Member of Scioto Country Club, Upper Arlington, Ohio, The Golf Club, New Albany, Ohio and the Zanesfield Trout Club, Zanesfield, Ohio

The family will receive friends from 2:30-5:30pm, with a vigil prayer service at 5:15pm on Sunday August 23 at St. Agatha Church, 1860 Northam Rd. Upper Arlington, Ohio. There will also be a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00am Monday August 24, 2015 at St Agatha Church, Father Dan Ochs Celebrant. Acting as concelebrants will be Fathers Peter Donnelly and John Murray both of Belfast, Northern Ireland. In honor of Jim's life, friends may make contributions in Jim and Mary Ann DeLeone's name to the Ohio State University Men's Golf Program Support Fund #312890, Fawcett Center, Attn: Gift Processing, 2400 Olentangy River Road, Columbus, Ohio, 43210. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a memory of Jim. Arrangements by SCHOEDINGER NORTHWEST CHAPEL, 1740 Zollinger Rd. Columbus OH 43221.