Joseph "Jess" Cecil

Joseph "Jess" Cecil, 85, passed away on March 6, 2012 in Lakeland, Florida, after a short illness.

Born in Louisville, Kentucky on June 26, 1926, Jess had lived in the Akron area his whole life. He served as a Sgt. with the U.S. Army during World War II and often commented at how lucky he was to have "someone up there" looking out for him. A devout workaholic, he owned Montrose Pure Oil, Wolf Creek Appaloosa Farm, Jess Cecil Quarter Horses, and his greatest accomplishment, Lanning's Restaurant. He was a Director of the Northern Ohio Quarter Horse Assoc., Honorary Director, with 25 years of service, of the Ohio Quarter Horse Assoc., lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Assoc., and member of the Summit County Farm Bureau and Ohio Restaurant Assoc.

He was preceded in death by his son, Mark E. Cecil. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Sue; daughters, Donna Cecil of Copley and Christine (Jeff) Darnell of Sharon Center; son, Richard (Heidi) Cecil of Lakeland, Florida; grandchildren, Brittany and Tyler Darnell of Sharon Center and Justin and Kara Cecil of Lakeland, Florida.

Jess was truly a self made man and was always willing to help or ask if you needed anything. Having lived the belief that "you don't tease anyone you don't like", his laugh, jokes, and pranks will be greatly missed by his family and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 9:30 a.m. Friday at St. Hilary Catholic Church, 2750 W. Market St., with Fr. Steven Brunovsky officiating. Final resting place will be Copley Cemetery. Friends may call 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, at the Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Ohio Quarter Horse Assoc. Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 209, Richwood, Ohio 43344.