L. J. Van Fossen

News Death Notice

Van FOSSEN, L.J. (Jack) 71, of Powell, Ohio, died May 31,2009. Jack was born September 27, 1937 in Sidney, Ohio to Carl Anderson and Bessie Lena Laws Van Fossen. He graduated from Sidney High School in 1955. He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1960 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business. While at U.C., Jack was a proud member and Chapter President of the Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity. Jack obtained his Juris Doctorate degree from The Ohio State University College of Law summa cum laude in 1963 and was awarded membership in the Order of the Coif. Jack was married to the former Emily Jane Brockmann, of Sidney, Ohio in 1961. He served in the US Army for two years after Law School. In 1965, Jack was associated with the firm of Porter, Stanley, Treffinger & Platt, now know as Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur. He became a partner with the firm in 1969. He left the firm in 1974 to become CEO of ChemLawn Corporation, later adding the titles of President and Chairman of the Board. Jack was with ChemLawn until 1988. During those years he was instrumental in ChemLawn's growth from a small regional company to an international success story. In 1991, Jack became President and CEO of Red Roof Inns, having served on the company's board of directors for a number of years. Following his retirement from that position in 1995, Jack continued to be active in the business community through his board positions for such companies as Cardinal Health, The Scotts Company, Bank One of Columbus, The Paul G. Duke Foundation, the Trueman Trusts and several others. Among many awards and honors Jack received in his career, were a CEO of the Year Bronze Award from The Financial World publication, Mr. Alpha Xi from the University of Cincinnati chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha, the Order of West Range of Pi Kappa Alpha Educational Foundation, and the Sidney High School Hall of Honor. He became a member of The Young President's Organization in 1977 and moved into the World President's Organization at the age of 50 in 1988. Jack is survived by his wife and best friend, Jane Van Fossen, his daughter and son-in-law, Beth and Bill Lias, his son Will Van Fossen, and two grandchildren, George Lias and Emily Lias. He is also survived by his brother Gary (Sue) Van Fossen, two nephews, Dr. Doug (Carol) Van Fossen and Eric Van Fossen and a niece, Angela (Rich McCleery) Van Fossen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Andy and Bessie Van Fossen and his in-laws, Bill and Ruth Brockmann. A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 12 from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Worthington Hills Country Club, 920 Clubview Boulevard South, Columbus, Ohio, 43235. The family requests that no flowers be sent. Donations in Jack's honor can be made to: The Community Foundation of Delaware County, Partner's in Philanthropy Fund, 3954 N. Hampton Drive, Powell, Ohio, 43065