Emory Wilber Vance

Emory W. Vance, 88, a longtime fixture in downtown Kent as owner of Emory's Barber Shop, died peacefully Sunday, April 15th, surrounded by his family at Akron City Hospital. For more than half a century he cut hair at the shop located at 147 South Water St., after moving to Kent in 1959 from his native West Virginia and attending the Riggs Lamar Barber College in Akron. He began working at what was then Murphy's Barber Shop in 1962 and purchased the business in 1987.

As a result of declining health, Emory reluctantly hung up his shears as one of the oldest licensed and practicing barbers in Ohio in July 2011, shuttering one of Kent's oldest continuously operating business establishments. With its original 1919 chairs, sinks and mirrors and unassuming authentic ambiance, in addition to haircuts, Emory's offered a warm and welcoming respite for his customers, friends and numerous colorful characters alike. Known for his friendly and giving nature, modest demeanor, sound advice and subtle wit, Emory was the barber-and often non-judgmental sounding board-for generations of residents in the area, and a loved and respected member of the downtown Kent business community. "Emory is just one of those salt-of-the-earth kind of guys," Paul Braden, owner of Woodsy's Music told a reporter for an article in 2004. "He walks to work and walks home to this day. He's the first guy downtown every morning." Neighbors are said to have set their clocks based on his daily routine.

Emory and his shop was a favorite subject of scores of Kent State photojournalism students and other photographers over the decades and he was often sought out for his insights into Kent's history as observed from his storefront window. Upon his retirement, Emory donated several antique items from his shop for a permanent exhibit at the Kent Historical Society, which was unveiled last fall.

In addition to his talents as a barber, Emory was known as an excellent carpenter and craftsman. His green thumb was also evident in his collection of extraordinarily robust plants that graced his shop's Water Street storefront and his bountiful vegetable garden at his Cuyahoga St. home. He was also a stalwart member of the congregation at the University Church of the Nazarene, (formerly Kent Church of the Nazarene) for nearly 50 years.

Born on July 21, 1923, in Second Creek, Monroe County, WVa, to Arby Franklin and Grace Emma (Scott), Emory is survived by his beloved wife Eva (Long), with whom he celebrated 61 years of marriage on March 31. A loving father devoted to his children and grandchildren, Emory is survived by daughter Linda (Mike) Poinski of Tallmadge, and sons Richard (Donna) of Kent, and Roger (Sherry) of Hillsboro, Va.; grandchildren Megan (Tim Fields) Poinski of Riverdale, Md., Sarah Poinski of Denver, Colo., Jordan of Richmond, Va., Ben (Heather) Kent, and Kara of Kent. He is also survived by his brother Dr. Jimie A. Vance of Medina, and was preceded in death by brother Brown Franklin, of Monticello, Ga.

Calling hours will be Wednesday, April 18th, from 5 to 8 p.m. at S.C. Bissler and Sons Funeral Home, 628 W. Main St., Kent. Funeral services, officiated by Dr. Charles Christian, Pastor will be at Bissler and Sons Funeral Home on Thursday, April 19th, 11 a.m., followed by burial at Standing Rock Cemetery, Kent.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Kent Historical Society, 237 East Main, St., Kent, are encouraged.