Charles James Oh

Charles James Ohlrich was born in Cleveland, OH. He died peacefully in Sarasota, FL following a lengthy illness. Chuck was the only child of Harry A. and Viola B. (Srovnal) Ohlrich. He is survived by his wife, Katherine Kelley Ohlrich, daughter, Laura Finsterwald and grandsons, Andrew and Zachary, as well as by his son, RC McCloud and wife, Debra LaPorta. Chuck is also survived a large and loving extended family. Chuck attended school in Lyndhurst, OH and graduated from Shaker Heights, OH high school where he established deep bonds with his KX brothers. He attended Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, OH and graduated from Case Western Reserve University where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Chuck was in the Air Force ROTC. He served as Management Analysis Officer at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, FL and was honorably discharged as Captain. He liked to say he learned to jump out of airplanes rather than, as he wished, fly them. Chuck was in retail advertising sales before becoming Marketing Director at the Plain Dealer newspaper in Cleveland, OH. He later joined Real Property Inventory, where he documented the Cleveland population undercount in the 1980 US Census. Chuck formed Creative Research Services, a market research and analysis firm. He said he hung around with musicians; Chuck was the drummer and founder of Jazz4U, a band that played around Cleveland whenever they could. Chuck was an avid outdoors person and athlete. He made frequent fishing trips to Manitoba and Ontario, Canada. His favorite was canoeing up Farm Creek, portaging around obstacles and over beaver dams to Island Lake where he pitched his tent and enjoyed what nature brought his way. He cherished his days as a grouse hunter and his life membership in the Old Goat Society. Chuck recently said that when he no longer had to struggle with his many health issues he’d once again play competitive handball, swim the great lakes, run where ever he wanted, play doubles tennis, pound his drums in the jazz band, and ski just like he used to. He’s back now, enjoying all those activities! Burial at the Sarasota National Cemetery and a celebration of life will be scheduled in October. The family suggests donations may be made to either Tidewell Hospice or All Faiths Food Bank in Chuck’s name.

Tributes

Charles James Oh

August 29, 2019