O. Rex Damron

Dr. O. Rex Damron died Tuesday, July 14, 2015 at home with his wife, Dr. Geneva Damron by his side. He went to Miami, FL in 1958 from Columbus, and to Tampa in 1989 from Kent. He was preceded in death by son, Kevin Kyle Damron; and sister, Anna Lee Corn. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Dr. Geneva; son, Dr. Derek Damron; sister, Rebecca Brown; and grandsons, Corey Michael and Dr. Kyle Mark Damron. Rex served in the U.S Army as a paratrooper and received his degrees from Marshall University (B.A.), Black Hills University (M.Ed.) and Kent State University (Ph.D. Psych). He served as an Administrator of Admission for Miami Military Academy, Crowder Hall Academy, NJ and FL Air Space Academy. He retired as Professor of Emeritus in 1985. Rex was President of the Krewe of Sant'Yago Education Foundation serving 14 years with a passion to support less fortunate students at Hillsborough Community College, University of South Florida, and the University of Tampa. He received an Arugula Award for service to Hispanic students. Rex was awarded the University of Tampa Medal, was a Shriner for 52 years, President of the International Travel Agents, owner of a five star restaurant, and developed and International import company of promotional products for Anheuser Busch. He developed the Damron Diagnostic Reading Kit for the U.S Department of Education and spoke at the Educational World's Fair. Rex published two college texts and a testing manual. He designed and umbrella of papal colors for Pope John Paul II and his clergy for their visit to St. Louis in 1999. His interest in the Native American Indian took him to reservations in South Dakota and Montana for workshops on the development of language and acquisition. Rex and Geneva provide scholarships for Native American students at Kent State. Rex loved people. He traveled throughout the world and appreciated many cultures. As he and Geneva traveled, he made donations to village schools in Katmandu, Napal. He and Geneva are co-founders of the North East Ohio Community Education Foundation which provides scholarships for students attending Kent State and other local universities. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, July 22 from 1:00-2:30pm at Bissler & Sons Funeral Home Kent. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Rex's name to the North East Ohio Community Education Foundation, P.O. Box 609, Kent, Ohio 44240.