John James Michaels

John James Michaels

John James Michaels, 88, of Kent, KSU Emeritus Professor of Technology passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011 at Altercare of Brimfield.

He was born March 17, 1922 in Buffalo, NY to Michael and Mary Anna (Duciak) Michaels. He had resided in Kent since 1953.

He served from April 1943 to February 1946 in WW II in the Army Engineer Corps as a Bridge Building Specialist in the Pacific Theater and finally the Korean Occupation.

He received his BS Degree in 1948 from the State University of New York at Buffalo in Industrial Arts Education. He was Captain of the Swim Team and was President of his class. He received his Masters Degree in 1949 from the University of Maryland and did his PhD work at Western Reserve University, Cleveland, University of Pittsburgh and finishing at Ohio State University in Counseling, Supervision and Educational Psychology (ABD). He was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Kent State University.

John was selected as a life member of the Honorary Society, Epsilon Pi Tau. He was appointed by his fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma as National Education Advisor.

He was brought to Kent State University for furniture design and construction. As a master woodworker, he taught Industrial Arts Education, Industrial Arts for Children and was named Co-Coordinator of Graduate Studies in Industrial Arts in 1963. He served in Officer Positions in the Northeast Ohio Industrial Arts Association and the American Industrial Arts Association. John was a speaker and judge regionally and nationally. For many years he directed the Honors Day programs, as well as, all commencement ceremonies. In his 33 years as a faculty member at KSU he was beloved by his students to whom he was always helpful and generous.

In 1967 he Co-Chaired an NDEA Graduate Institute on Creativity attended by select Industrial Arts teachers from 25 states, who built the steel sculpture adjacent to Taylor Hall that was subsequently was pierced by a bullet on May 4, 1970. He served as a Peace Marshall (Observer) during the 1970 anti-war demonstrations, helping to keep the involved students calm during the "Tent City" protests as well. A member of the Kent Historical Society he directed and built the 13 wooden arch supports needed for the canopy of the Historic Erie Train Depot (now the Pufferbelly Restaurant)

He will be greatly missed and is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years Eunice R. of Kent; son, Thomas and his wife Nora of Camden, Maine; grandson, Roth of Hanover, NH; granddaughter, Hannah of Wellington, FL; sister-in-law, Jean M.; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary Anna and Michael Michaels; siblings, Elsie and her husband Gordon Ferm, Anne and her husband Otto Caudell, Eva and her husband Arthur Webb, Kathryn and Nicholas Michaels.

The Family is grateful to the staff of Robinson Visiting Nurse and hospice for their care.

A memorial service and celebration of John's life will be held Saturday, May 28, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. at the Unitarian Universalist Church Of Kent, 228 Gougler Avenue, Kent, OH 44240. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ohio Parkinson's Disease Foundation, N.E. Region, P.O. Box 271, Tallmadge, OH 44278.