John KLING

KLING John "Jack' Joseph, Founder of Southern Ohio Fabricators, Inc., died February 27, days short of his 90th birthday. With his passing, the Tri-State area lost a highly regarded entrepreneur, a fine gentleman, and a beloved friend. At the time of his death, Mr. Kling resided at the Deupree Terrace, where he waged a courageous struggle with Alzheimer's symptoms that afflicted him for over a decade. Born in Cheviot, he moved his family to Mt. Lookout in 1950 and was an active member of that community for decades. As President and CEO of Southern Ohio Fabricators/Sofco Erectors, Mr. Kling brought vision and drive to his steel fabricating and construction company through years of growth, innovation, and achievement. Founded in 1947, the privately-owned company has been honored by The Cincinnati Enquirer and Arthur Andersen & o. and included annually among The Greater Cincinnati 100 for the past 20 years. ""You can't drive through the city of Cincinnati without seeing the results of the company he founded and managed. The skyline of the city reflects the achievements of the people and organization he lead,' said Jim Ludwig, President of Sofco Erectors. Southern Ohio Fabricators is headquartered in Batavia and Sofco Erectors has offices in Cincinnati, Columbus and Indianapolis. Southern Ohio Fabricators has produced structural steel for , and erected, many of Cincinnati's landmarks, including the Riverfront Stadium, the Cincinnati Commerce Center, the Cincinnati Library, the Chiquita Center, the 525 Building, and the Eiffel Tower at Kings Island. Last year the company completed work as exclusive steel fabricator and steel erector on the NFL's Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati. Southern Ohio is also one of the few fabricators of roller coaster support steel for rides in major theme parks in the United States, Euroe and Japan. Always seeking the next goal, Mr. Kling was motivated by market growth and a deep concern for his company's employees. ""As he walked across the shop floor the men seemed to revel in his presence. ""Hi Jack' and smiles came from every corner of the shop. He had a sense of humor that immediately put a person at ease with him wherever he was. Jack Kling was a man's man and a gentleman. Everywhere he went, he went with a purpose,' observed Charlie Michel, retired Human Resources Manager. ""A great entrepreneur with a keen sense for business, Mr. Kling provided a good job and a good standard of living for thousands of employees who joined his work family over the years,' according to Mr. Michel. ""He was my friend and my mentor, and he will be greatly missed,' adds Mr. Ludwig. A 1930 graduate of Hughes High School, Mr. Kling studied mechanical engineering at the University of Cincinnati for two years. In 1932 he received a Congressional appointment to the United States MilitaryAcademy at West Point, and there distinguished himself as ""a man of excellent character, industrious, sincere, loyal and honest. He was at the top of his class,' according to his field artillery captain at the time. Throughout his life Mr. Kling exemplified the values of the Academy; Duty, Honor, Country. Even in later years, ""as he walked down the office halls and across the shop floor at Southern Ohio, his heels clicked as if in rhythm with a West Point march,' says Mr. Michel. A man of focus and commitment, Mr. Kling was an ardent music lover and played the violin throughout his life. He was a member of Our Lord Christ the King Church, and the West Point Society of Cincinnati. Mr. Kling was a family man. Having lost both parents by the age of 20, he worked for years during the Depression to help support his younger siblings. He later brought that same dedication to his own family. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Margaret Stacy Kling (Cincinnati); his daughters Josephine KlingTrippe (Vero Beach, FL), Patricia Kling Ballman (Milwaukee, WI), Elizabeth Kling Mayotte (Tampa, FL), and Susan Kling Worthington (Cincinnati); sons-in-law John Mayotte and William Worthington; grandchildren; Andrew and Cara Ballman, Stacy and Blaire Worthington, Jennifer, Elizabeth and J.B. Mayotte, and Christina Perry, and great-grandson Drew Ballman. His son John Emerson Kling, West Point Class of 1974, died in a tragic cycling accident in 1999. Son-in-law Kenneth Trippe died February 26, 2002. The family mourns these three great losses. Visitation will be held on Friday, March 22 from 6-8 P.M. at the George H. Rohde & Son Funeral Home, 3183 Linwood Avenue in Mt. Lookout. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Saturday, March 23, 10:30 A.M. at Our Lord Christ the King Church, 3223 Linwood Avenue to be followed by prayers at the gravesite at Spring Grove Cemetery. Donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 919 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, 800-272-8700, or onlin at www.alz.org.