John Crombie Obituary

John Roger Crombie CHARLESTON - John Roger Crombie, 58, died in his adopted hometown of Charleston, SC on January 9, 2010 as a result of complications arising from abdominal cancer first diagnosed in February, 2008. Roger Crombie was born September 25, 1951 in Morrow, Ohio to the late John F. Crombie and Carolyn Crombie. He was fond of describing his near idyllic childhood in the small Ohio village of Morrow surrounded by friends and family and enjoying summers filled with baseball and swimming, card games and cookouts. Attending public school in the Little Miami School District, Roger excelled as a scholar athlete, winning the coveted Voice of Democracy prize and membership in the Presidential Classroom for Young Americans, as well as playing for his school's basketball and tennis teams. Roger remained forever grateful to the many fine teachers and coaches he encountered during these formative years. Watching his father, John, develop a successful car and truck sales business in the community served as the foundation for Roger's own incredible work ethic, and his mother's involvement in local and state politics fueled his lifelong passion for all things political. Roger relished his role as the big brother to his younger siblings and especially enjoyed coaching his brother, Doug, and mentoring his sister, Lynn. After graduating with honors from Little Miami High School in 1969, Roger attended the University of Cincinnati where he graduated cum laude in 1973. In 1976 he graduated from the University of Cincinnati Law School, where he was the recipient of academic awards and prizes, including Law Review. He was admitted to the State Bar of Ohio in 1976 and remained a member throughout his life. He was admitted to the State Bar of South Carolina in 2007. Roger married his high school sweetheart, Loretto Naish, in 1973. Although the marriage ended in divorce, the couple remained committed to raising their much beloved son, John. In July, 2001, Roger and Carolyn Ayers married in South Carolina. Roger began his legal career near his childhood home serving as an Assistant County Prosecutor in Warren County, impressing even the most seasoned lawyers with his artful courtroom skills. After leaving the Prosecutor's Office he and Phillip Pleska established the firm of Pleska & Crombie, in Lebanon, Ohio. In 1981 he joined Hyatt Legal Services and in 1985 became a National Partner at the firm's Cleveland headquarters where, for the next ten years, he managed scores of lawyers practicing in the firm's two hundred nationwide offices. 1995, he founded The Crombie Law Firm, a general practice firm with five offices in Cleveland. Roger's highly successful legal career in Ohio allowed him to pursue his life long dream of living in a Southern city with a climate suitable for year round golf. That dream was realized when he and Carol relocated their home and careers to Charleston, SC in 2000. The move was made even more special when his son, John, and daughter-in-law, Mandy, decided to live for a few years in Charleston following their graduation from Vanderbilt University. Nothing could make Roger happier than to be able to play a round of golf with his son, and his fondest memories were of their Father's Day golf outings at spectacular courses throughout the country. Approaching middle age gave Roger more time for personal reflection. In 2001 he participated in the Roman Catholic Right of Christian Initiation and was welcomed by the Church of St. John the Beloved as a full member at the Easter Vigil. Thereafter, he served as both a Eucharistic minister and two terms as a member of the Summerville Catholic School Board, most recently as its President. In 2004 Roger accepted a two year tenure as an Adjunct Professor of Legal Research and Writing at the Charleston School of Law. At the time of his recent illness, he was a member of the Bell Legal Group in Georgetown, South Carolina. As once described by his friend and business partner, Joel Hyatt, Roger was a "true raconteur" and friends and family, professional colleagues and former students, will remember him for his incredible intellect, insightful observations, quick wit and optimistic outlook. An avid reader, college and professional sports devotee, political junkie, golf aficionado, gourmet cook, and enthusiastic traveler, Roger gratefully lived each day to its fullest. His presence will be greatly missed, his memory cherished, and his life celebrated by those whom he has touched. Survivors include his wife, Carolyn (Ayers), his dearly loved son, John, and daughter-in-law, Amanda (Shea), and granddaughter, Olivia. He also leaves his mother, Carolyn, brother, Doug, and sister, Lynn Dane. A host of extended family members, friends, and acquaintances mourn his passing. Funeral Services and a Mass of the Christian Burial will be held in Cincinnati, Ohio later in the week. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to St. John the Beloved Capital Campaign, 28 Sumter Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483 or the Cleveland Clinic Digestive Disease Institute, c/o Dr. Matthew Walsh, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, PO Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44l93-1655. ARRANGEMENTS BY J. HENRY STUHR, INC., MOUNT PLEASANT CHAPEL. Visit our guestbook at www.postandcourier.com/deaths