David “Dee” and Kathy Mowry to be inducted into COAAA Hall of Fame

COLUMBUS -- A Fairfield County couple who include the first woman elected judge in Fairfield County and a Professor Emeritus at Ohio University are being inducted into the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging Hall of Fame.

David “Dee” and Kathy Mowry are among 14 honorees who will be recognized for their accomplishments and volunteerism at the 47th COAAA Hall of Fame Recognition Ceremony on Wednesday, at The Gallery at Champions venue (Champions Golf Course) in Columbus.

The Hall of Fame honors central Ohio older adults who share their dedication, talent, and vitality in ways that significantly improve their communities and the lives of others. COAAA hosts the Hall of Fame in May during Older Americans Month, a month that celebrates the contributions of senior citizens.

Dee is a Professor Emeritus at Ohio University, where he taught courses in biological science for 53 years. He currently teaches independent studies. Throughout his career, he received many awards and honors for being an exceptional teacher. Dee is known across Ohio as a leader in biological sciences.

Dee is a past board member and past president of the Fairfield County Visitor and Convention Bureau; past president of the Lancaster Kiwanis Club; a 60-year member and Past Potentate of the Aladdin Shrine, Grove City; and Past Master of the Bremen Masonic Lodge #608, where he has been a member for more than 60 years.

Dee serves on the PNC Bank grants advisory board, which reviews applications and awards grant money. He is a volunteer on the Bioethics and Medical Ethics committee of the Fairfield Medical Center and Fairhope Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc. He serves as president of the Aladdin Shriners Hospital Association for Children in Columbus. In this role, he oversees a multi-million-dollar budget that aids children with specific medical conditions and provides financial support for fire departments, health departments, hospitals, and local schools in 33 counties.

Dee is a founding member and former president of both the Fairfield County Foundation and the Fairfield Medical Center Foundation; a former board member and chair of Fairfield Medical Center’s Finance and Audit committee; and has held offices in the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce and the Bremen Area Chamber of Commerce. He was honored with the Outstanding Community Service Award by the Village of Bremen for helping establish a medical service office in the village.

In 2006, Kathy became the first woman elected judge in Fairfield County. She served as judge of the Domestic Relations Division of Fairfield County’s Court of Common Pleas until retiring in 2011.

Kathy continues her membership in the Ohio State Bar Association and the Fairfield County Bar Association, where she previously served as president. She is a former member of the Ohio State Legal Services Board and Ohio Judicial Conference.

Kathy provided substantial pro bono legal services throughout the community, including the Bremen Area Chamber of Commerce and the Bremen Masonic Lodge #608. As a member of the Ohio State Legal Services Board, she was instrumental in establishing the Fairfield County Pro Bono Clinic, where she served as a volunteer.

From 2016 to 2020, she served as Treasurer of Bremen Area Historical Society, where she led a successful fundraising and membership drive, organized free community programs, and released eight newsletters per year. She chaired the original museum fundraising and construction.

Kathy received the Dr. Lewis Urling Statesman Award from the Fairfield County Republican Party and the Statewide Attorney of the Year Award from the Ohio Child Support Enforcement Agency Directors’ Association.

The Mowrys are elders and members of Bremen-Bethel Presbyterian Church. They volunteer for and are members of the church’s scholarship fund review committee. Additionally, Dee serves as the church’s Clerk of Session and Kathy is the treasurer. Kathy organized the church’s “Breakfast to Go Program,” which provides free breakfasts for Bremen Elementary School students to take home on the weekends. Kathy served as the program chair from 2013 to 2021. During that time the program provided approximately 43,000 breakfast bags. To date, an estimated $80,000 worth of food has been distributed. As the program chair, Kathy acquired $34,500 in grants and was honored as a “Friend of Public Education” by the Central District of Ohio School Boards Association.

Married nearly 48 years, the Mowrys have two children and four grandchildren. They are avid travelers and have been on all seven continents. Kathy enjoys gardening, reading, and spending time with her grandchildren. Dee is known for his great sense of humor and ability to make people laugh and smile.

The 2023 Inductees are as follows:

• Eileen Brenner - Delaware County

• Delma Jackson – Delaware County

• David “Dee” and Kathy Mowry – Fairfield County

• Joanne Boysel – Fayette County

• Roger Pry – Franklin County

• Pamela Shields – Franklin County

• Dick Wires – Franklin County

• Ruby Hall – Licking County

• Tom Lawrence – Madison County

• Charlie and Darlene Weaver – Pickaway County

• Bob and Jeannie Hildreth – Union County

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: David “Dee” and Kathy Mowry to be inducted into COAAA Hall of Fame