Eldon C. Lown passed away April 15, 2024.
He was born February 10, 1934, in Mansfield, Ohio, to parents, E. Lester and Lena M. (Baker) Lown. He was preceded in death by his son, Gary, his parents, and one brother, Gordon. After graduation from Mansfield Senior High School, Eldon went to Ohio University, became a member of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, and earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Also while at Ohio University, he met and married his wife, partner, and the love of his life, Marilyn Rae (Woods). They were married for over 68 years.
After graduation, Eldon and Marilyn moved to Akron, Ohio, where Eldon worked for Goodyear Aerospace Corporation and successor companies, Loral Defense Corporation, and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Following retirement, he worked at the Applied Research Laboratory of The Pennsylvania State University. Additionally, he was licensed to list and sell real estate in Ohio.
Upon graduating from college, Eldon received a commission in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant. He served for a total of over 32 years of military service and had been the Commander of several Army Reserve units in northeastern Ohio. When he retired, he held the rank of Colonel.
Eldon was raised a Master Mason in Adoniram Lodge #517 F & AM in Akron, which later merged with Star Lodge #187 F & AM in Cuyahoga Falls. He was a member of all three Masonic York Rite organizations in Cuyahoga Falls, as well as The Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Akron, and The Tadmor Shriners of Akron.
Eldon had been the Scoutmaster and served as an Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop #172 in Munroe Falls for over 20 years. He had been President of the Munroe Falls Historical Society and served in other officer positions.
Eldon and Marilyn enjoyed traveling and camping throughout the United States and Canada. They attended many of the Airstream Cub International Rallies throughout the United States. He was a past president of the Akron Airstream Unit.
He will be greatly missed by his wife, Marilyn; three children, Jeff Lown (Melodie), Suzanne Hobson (Russell), and Mark Lown (Missy); eight grandchildren, Justin Lown (Rhonda), Erin Williams, Michael Hobson, Thomas Hobson, Steven Hobson, Lauren Hobson, Gabriel Glor, and Michael Lown; five great-grandchildren, Rees Lown, Logan Lown, and Fred Lown, Allison Williams, and Brianne Williams, and a sister-in-law in California. Eldon had many successes throughout his life; however, his greatest joy and satisfaction came from being with his family.
A memorial service will be held at First Christian Church of Stow, 3493 Darrow Road, Stow 44224, at 2 PM, on Saturday, April 27, 2024, with Rev. Jonathan Rumburg officiating. Family visitation will be held one hour prior.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to First Christian Church of Stow, where Eldon was a long-time member, and served on several Church boards and committees.