Charles K. Loving Sr.

Charles was raised on a working farm near Hillard, Ohio, attended Hilliard schools through grade school then moved with his family to Bexley where he resided until his death. He was a graduate of the Columbus Academy, class of 1948 and Wesleyan University, Middleton, Connecticut, class of 1948 where he roomed with his lifelong good friend Donald Dunn of Columbus.

For 50 years Charles was a member of the Columbus Board of Realtors, and 33 years was a member of the Columbus Apartment Association. His business, Loving Realtors, was founded by his father, William E Loving a prominent local real estate developer in the 1930s and continues to maintain its beautiful Victorian office building on 529 East Town Street. Charles was a member of the Columbus Club, The Athletic Club, and the Columbus Country Club for over 70 years, and a founding croquet member of the New Albany Country Club. He was the first President of the historic Town Franklin Neighborhood Association. Charles and his wife Norma Jean were the founding members and architects (with James Mason and the Little Garden Club of Columbus) of the lovely “jewel of Columbus,” the Topiary Park on East Town Street. The most unique and beautiful Topiary Park is recognized by the prestigious Archives of American Gardens and by the Smithsonian Institution. Charles served as President of the Friends of the Topiary Park then as a board member for over 30 years. Charles was also a volunteer for many years of Home Reach Hospice.

Charles loved sports in particular tennis, golf and English six wicket croquet. He captained his Columbus Academy tennis team and was the "official scheduler" for his life long golfing friends (Al Fulford and Bill Emig) and of their Saturday morning golf at the CCC. His 6-wicket croquet tournaments took him to competitive events up and down the eastern seaboard and Florida. His numerous friends at all these sports provided life long enjoyment. Charles maintained ties with several of his Columbus Academy classmates: Mike Waller, Bill Copeland and Roly Nolan to name a few.

Charles was proud of his family name and its heritage. Charles often spoke highly of Dr. Starling Loving who was a founding member of the Starling Medical College at OSU, His mother, Anna Mae Loving was an opera singer with whom Charles enjoyed singing duets together. He met his beautiful wife Norma Jean Hoagland, a Bexley Home Coming Princess at the age of 16 and simply adored her until her passing in 2018. Charles' grandfather was an itinerant Baptist minister, and his cousin, a missionary in French Martinique, led Charles to receive Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior. This cousin always told Charles to "never stop looking up" for the return of his Savior (I Thessalonians 4:16,17). Once heard at a church service..."O death where is thy sting"...I Cor. 15:55-57.

Of six siblings, Charles is survived by one sister, June Lape Loving. Charles' other five deceased siblings were: William E Loving Jr., Edwin N. Loving, Elizabeth Altmaier, Patience Hixenbaugh, Anna Mae Miller. The greatest prize and treasure of his marriage to Norma Jean are his children, Charles K. Loving, Jr., M.D. (New York City), Loren Loving Vail LL.D (Columbus), Matthew Loving (spouse Annette Loving) (Columbus), and Kristen Loving Kellas (spouse Robert Kellas) (New York City). He is also survived by 6 grandchildren: Kristen Vail Connell, Victoria Katherine Vail, Madeline Kellas Harris, Tiffany Loving, Taylor Loving, Matthew Loving Jr. and 5 great grandchildren: Owen, Zoe, Violet, Benjamin and Grace

Private interment at Green Lawn Cemetery. A public reception will be held at a later date. Please visit www.schoedinger.com to share memories and condolences. Funeral arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER MIDTOWN.