Jon M. Daup

Jon Michael Daup, 75, passed away surrounded by family on November 19, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. Born January 1, 1950, in Shelby, Ohio, Jon was the son of Harold and Betty Daup (né e Seaman). He devoted his life to faith, family, education, and the sport he loved most: basketball.

Jon graduated from Plymouth High School in 1968. He went on to earn Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Education from Ashland University. During his time at Ashland he was a proud member of Phi Kappa Psi fraternity.

A lifelong educator and coach, Jon dedicated more than three decades to teaching and mentoring students and athletes. He began his career at Ashland Crestview High School, where he taught and coached boy's basketball at multiple levels from 1972 to 1979, as well as serving as an assistant track and field coach for six years. He continued his coaching and teaching career at Worthington High School from 1979 to 1987, where he was the varsity boy's basketball coach. He was also the head track and field coach there from 1985 to 1987. Jon later joined Dublin High School, teaching and coaching boy's varsity basketball from 1987 to 1993. He also shared seven memorable seasons as assistant coach for the Dublin Scioto High School Girl’s Varsity Basketball Team from 2002 to 2009.

Beyond high school athletics, Jon contributed to Ohio State University’s Men’s Basketball program as a volunteer assistant from 1984 to 1986 and coached at Columbus State Community College from 1993 to 1995.

Jon also brought his passion for player development and coaching excellence to numerous basketball programs and businesses, including Ohio Sports Plus (1997–2002) and JDH Winners Edge (2007–2013), helping build clinics, camps, and travel programs for both boys and girls across central Ohio.

Jon’s career was marked by exceptional achievement. He was inducted into the Ohio District 10 Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2024. Jon led teams to conference championships, district titles, and regional tournament appearances. He earned numerous Coach of the Year awards across the Ashland area, Ohio Capital Conference and Central Buckeye League. He was selected several times to coach in area and district all-star games. In track and field, Jon was named Central District Division I Coach of the Year in 1986–1987. He received the Golden Shamrock Award for Excellence in Education in 1991.

Outside of the gym and classroom, Jon loved golfing, relaxing on the beach or boating in Florida and spending quality time with his cherished grandchildren. Above all, he valued God, his family, and his friendships. He will be remembered for his work ethic, unwavering dedication, humility, and for the positive impact he made on the lives of the countless young people he taught and coached.

Jon is survived by his former wife, Debbie, and their children, Jeff (Meagan) and Shelly (Jason Main); his beloved grandchildren, Jaxon, Danny, and Leah; his brother, Jacque (Pat); his sisters, Cindy (Roy Pullum) and Barb Ruckman; numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Betty.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at Schoedinger Worthington, 6699 N. High St., Worthington, Ohio 43085 from 1:00pm until 5:00pm.

Memorial contributions may be made to OSU Cancer Research in Jon’s honor at give.osu.edu/jondaup, or to the charity of your choice.