1929
John
2012
John Robert Pohlod
October 18, 1929 — April 7, 2012
Edinburg, PA - John Robert Pohlod, 82, died April 7, 2012 at 7:00pm.
Mr. Pohlod was born October 18, 1929 in Cleveland, a son of John and Ella (Benish) Pohlod.
He previously lived in North Olmstead, Kent, and Youngstown, before purchasing his farm in
Edinburg in 1968.
He was a 1947 graduate of North Ridgeville High School, where also played basketball.He
received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Kent State University. Mr. Pohlod worked
as a math teacher for Girard High School, The Rayen School, and retired from Woodrow Wilson
High School. After retirement, he worked as a teacher for the New Castle School of Trades in
their math program. He also owned and operated the John R. Pohlod Insurance Company in
Youngstown and John R. Pohlod & Son Equipment in Edinburg.
He was a United States Army veteran serving in Frankfurt, Germany during the Korean Conflict.
In Frankfurt, he would continue his love for basketball and baseball playing for the Frankfurt
Black Knights.He would eventually meet his future wife, Audrey, who was a professional ice
skater performing there, with Holiday on Ice.
Mr. Pohlod was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Youngstown. Mr. Pohlod also
annually sponsored and coached the John R. Pohlod Insurance Company basketball team in the
open tournament in Salem. He was one of the longest running sponsors of the tournament. He
was very active in the antique tractor community and belonged to many of its c1ubs. He also loved
to sing karaoke where many people knew him as Cowboy John!
His wife, the former Audrey E. Sampson-Parkes, whom he married September 26, 1953,
died August 2,2002. He is survived by six sons, Robert M. (Sue) Pohlod of Parker, CO,
Matthew J. Pohlod of Cresco, lA, Mark S. Pohlod of Aurora, CO, Paul M. (Beth) Pohlod
of Gibsonia, PA, John A. (Brandi) Pohlod of Edinburg, PA, and James R. (Jennifer) Pohlod
of Kent, OH; one brother, Leonard (Ellen) Pohlod of Amanda, OH; brother-in-law, Rev.
Thomas Peterson of Austin, TX; and twenty grandchildren, Sean, Christopher, Alysia, Megan,
Michael, Kyle, Jacob, Emily, Andrew, Mary, Rachel, Michael, David, Audrey,Rebecca, Ashley,
Kylee, Noah, Jennifer, and Parker.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ilona Peterson; and his
daughter-in-law, Tanya Pohlod.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Lowellville. Interment will follow at the Mahoning Presbyterian Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00-10:45a.m. at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3695B Boardman-Canfield Rd. Canfield, OH 44406.
Mr. Pohlod was born October 18, 1929 in Cleveland, a son of John and Ella (Benish) Pohlod.
He previously lived in North Olmstead, Kent, and Youngstown, before purchasing his farm in
Edinburg in 1968.
He was a 1947 graduate of North Ridgeville High School, where also played basketball.He
received his bachelor's degree in mathematics from Kent State University. Mr. Pohlod worked
as a math teacher for Girard High School, The Rayen School, and retired from Woodrow Wilson
High School. After retirement, he worked as a teacher for the New Castle School of Trades in
their math program. He also owned and operated the John R. Pohlod Insurance Company in
Youngstown and John R. Pohlod & Son Equipment in Edinburg.
He was a United States Army veteran serving in Frankfurt, Germany during the Korean Conflict.
In Frankfurt, he would continue his love for basketball and baseball playing for the Frankfurt
Black Knights.He would eventually meet his future wife, Audrey, who was a professional ice
skater performing there, with Holiday on Ice.
Mr. Pohlod was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Youngstown. Mr. Pohlod also
annually sponsored and coached the John R. Pohlod Insurance Company basketball team in the
open tournament in Salem. He was one of the longest running sponsors of the tournament. He
was very active in the antique tractor community and belonged to many of its c1ubs. He also loved
to sing karaoke where many people knew him as Cowboy John!
His wife, the former Audrey E. Sampson-Parkes, whom he married September 26, 1953,
died August 2,2002. He is survived by six sons, Robert M. (Sue) Pohlod of Parker, CO,
Matthew J. Pohlod of Cresco, lA, Mark S. Pohlod of Aurora, CO, Paul M. (Beth) Pohlod
of Gibsonia, PA, John A. (Brandi) Pohlod of Edinburg, PA, and James R. (Jennifer) Pohlod
of Kent, OH; one brother, Leonard (Ellen) Pohlod of Amanda, OH; brother-in-law, Rev.
Thomas Peterson of Austin, TX; and twenty grandchildren, Sean, Christopher, Alysia, Megan,
Michael, Kyle, Jacob, Emily, Andrew, Mary, Rachel, Michael, David, Audrey,Rebecca, Ashley,
Kylee, Noah, Jennifer, and Parker.
In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his sister, Ilona Peterson; and his
daughter-in-law, Tanya Pohlod.
Funeral services will be held Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the Cunningham-Becker Funeral Home, Lowellville. Interment will follow at the Mahoning Presbyterian Cemetery.
Family and friends will be received Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. and Thursday from 10:00-10:45a.m. at the funeral home.
Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3695B Boardman-Canfield Rd. Canfield, OH 44406.
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