James R. Conway

James R. (Jim) Conway passed away peacefully on Thursday June 8, 2023, at St. Ann’s Hospital in Westerville, Ohio. He embraced life with good humor, kindness, and a strong measure of hard work. In fact, he held over 30 jobs throughout his long life. His mother was fond of commenting, “Why don’t you just get a steady job?”

That Jim did, and more. After college in Wisconsin, he joined the United States Marine Corps where he proudly served for 6 years, from 1958 to 1964. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Corporal.

Following that, his first notable job was in sales at the Rayette Company. Jim could sell anything; everyone liked him for his knowledge, his good taste, and his commitment to work. He recalled times that when he had five sales calls in a day, he stashed five starched and ready shirts in his car, one for each visit, so that he always appeared well turned out and professional.

Jim persevered and excelled in business. As an entrepreneur, he entered the steel industry where he applied his sales talents at North Star Steel in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 1981 he, together with experienced partners and skilled managers, arranged the purchase of the shuttered Armco Steel in Marion, Ohio. Renaming it the Marion Steel Company, Jim served as President and Chairman of the Board and turned it into a family business, reflecting Jim’s commitment to his own family, to community service, and to social responsibility. Jim cared about the people who worked for him. Each day he walked the floor of the steel company, engaging folks, reminding them that he had an open-door policy. He was greatly admired by his employees because he treated them like his family.

He turned Marion Steel into a thriving business creating over 400 jobs in a city that was suffering financially. In fact, one industry journal termed the business the Born Again Steel Mill. During the 1980s, when the country and Marion suffered an economic downturn, Marion Steel’s output grew from 100,000 tons to 380,000 tons producing as much as 60% of the steel consumed in the United States. Eventually when Jim decided to retire, he sold the company to Nucor Steel in 2005.

Born in the small town of La Crosse, Wisconsin, Jim never forgot his roots. To this day, a yearly college scholarship goes to several recipients at Jim’s alma mater, Logan High School in La Crosse. His collection of handwritten thank you notes from those grateful graduates remained one of his cherished mementos.

A family man, through and through, Jim was the dad who cut the neighborhood boys’ hair. He coached hockey; he attended his daughter’s swim meets as well as the hockey games of his sons. He loved boating on the St. Croix River where he took his kids and their friends fishing. Years later he would boat on Lake Erie, but always returned for family vacations to his beloved Northern Minnesota. Jim was an avid reader, followed current events, loved deer hunting, and enjoyed sports.

Jim was a generous benefactor to the communities of Marion and Columbus. He supported several charities, including the Marion Community Foundation and the New Albany Foundation. In 2007, Jim pledged $1 million to the Family Business Center located at Ohio Dominican University to support their efforts in helping Central Ohio family businesses grow, prosper, and transition to the next generation. The name of the Center changed to the Conway Center for Family Business to honor and show appreciation for Jim’s generous gift.

Jim deeply loved all his children and stepchildren and was happiest when his large family surrounded him. Left behind to cherish his memory are his beloved wife Linda, brother-in-law Richard (Spike) Conley, 8 children, 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. Children: Steve Conway (Amy), Scott Conway, Colleen Thompson (Randy), Christian Conway, Adam Landefeld (Alison), Tiffany Nambiar (Mahendra), Paul Landefeld (Brittany), and Brian Landefeld (Donna). Grandchildren: Jordan Hrabak (T.J.), Mackenzie Rine (Shawn), Taylor Conway, Laikyn Conway, Danielle Walpole (Nathaniel), Jeremy Chesser, Adyson Landefeld, Nolan Landefeld, Kate Van Dyke (Ethan), Riley Landefeld, and Amelia Nambiar. Preceding Jim in death were his father Donald, his mother Iola, his brother Richard (Dick), and his sister Joan Van Riper.

A loyal companion in his later years, Schotzie, a schnauzer, has most likely already joyously barked again and again as her beloved friend walked through heaven’s gates to join her.

Jim lived life to the fullest, believing that others who live after him should too. He was fond of commenting, “We’re here for a good time, not for a long time.”

The family would like to thank the staff at St. Ann’s for their loving care. A Celebration of Life will be scheduled for a later date. Arrangements are being handled by Schoedinger Funeral Homes, who have set up a memorial website. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made in Jim’s honor to the Conway Center for Family Business or a charity of your choice.

A gentleman’s gentleman, Jim Conway will be mourned and missed by everyone who knew him.

Semper Fi, Jim. Semper Fi