Arthur I. Vorys

Arthur I. Vorys, age 87, died peacefully in Naples, FL., Saturday evening, February 5, 2011. After graduating from the Columbus Academy in 1941, Art proudly served his country as a lieutenant in the Marines’ Fifth Regiment in WWII, fought and was wounded in the Battle of Okinawa. Upon returning from the war, he received his B.A. from Williams College and his J.D. from The Ohio State University College of Law. In 1949, Art began a 44 year law practice at Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP in Columbus, where he rose to senior partner, retiring in 1993. From 1957 to 1959 Art was appointed by the Governor to serve as Ohio’s Superintendent of Insurance. During his career, Art served as a Director on numerous corporate boards, including Wendy’s International, Inc., Ohio Casualty Corporation, Willis Corroon plc, and Vorys Brothers, Inc. Art believed strongly in giving back to the community and he served on the boards of Nationwide Children’s Hospital, The Ohio State University Hospitals, Capital University, Capital University Law School, The Griffith Foundation for Insurance Education and Green Lawn Cemetery, among others. He was also one of the founders and helped finance the Jefferson Center for Learning and the Arts. He was a member of many professional organizations including the American, Ohio State and Columbus Bar Associations and the U.S. Supreme Court Historical Society. Outside of his profession and service, Art’s interests were truly diverse. He was a skillful watercolor painter, was a former member of the Round Up Riders of the Rockies and enjoyed outdoor sports including skiing, bicycling, boating, fishing, hiking and camping. Art loved learning and was a voracious reader. As one writer stated in a magazine article about him, “Never one to be satisfied with mediocrity, Art’s achievements give flesh and blood to the definition of excellence.” Art is survived by his wife of 30 years, Ann; children, Caroline Vorys of Paonia, CO., Adeline (Greg) Cranson of Paonia, CO., Lucy Noll of Montrose, CO., Webb (Liz) Vorys of Gahanna, Chuck (Michele) Haubiel of Gahanna, and Alisa (Paco) Morera of Pickerington; sister, Margo House of Marquette, MI.; 14 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his father Webb I. Vorys, mother Adeline Werner Vorys, and brother John W. Vorys. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Jefferson Township Fire Department, 6767 Havens Corners Road, Blacklick, OH 43004 or to a Hospice facility of your choice. PLEASE NOTE SERVICE TIME. The family will receive friends from 3-7 PM on Thursday February 17, 2011 at SCHOEDINGER STATE STREET CHAPEL, 229 E State St. A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Friday February 18, 2011 at First Congregational Church, 444 E Broad St. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share a special memory of Art.