Edwin W. "Ned" Oldham II

Edwin W. ``Ned' Oldham II, 74, of Akron, Ohio and Naples, Fla., passed away peacefully at Avow Hospice of Naples, Fla., on June 28, 2011 with his loving wife, Karen and four boys, Jeff, Scott, Mark and Eric at his side. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. Ned had a wonderful and blessed life.

He valiantly fought an atypical form of Parkinsonism Plus for 7 ½ years with his wife, Karen as his caretaker. In his last days he and Karen also had the loving assistance of Tammy and Lori as live-in caretakers.

A 1958 graduate ('58 is Great) of the United States Naval Academy, ``crazy legs' Oldham was the captain of the USNA football team that beat Rice in the Cotton Bowl and ended the season ranked 3rd. in the country. Ned also scored all 14 points in the Army-Navy (Oldham 14- Army 0) game his senior year. He was 6th Company Commander his final semester; ranked in the top 10% of his graduating class he was named a Scholastic All American.

Ned grew up in Akron, Ohio with his Father, Albert, Mother, Ruth, Sister Nancy, Brother's Bill and Bob and many relatives. Armed with a General Engineering degree from USNA and a Law Degree from The University of Akron, Ned became a prominent Intellectual Property Attorney in Akron and Naples. He was instrumental in bringing the National Inventors Hall of Fame to Akron from Washington D.C. He authored a book ``Freedom to Invent'. He was a long time member of First Presbyterian Church of Akron.

He loved sports and was an avid athlete who loved competing and was often found to be in a heated golf match with his friends or family. He and Karen were blessed to have the opportunity to travel and golf internationally. He also cherished many family trips such as ski trips to Colorado or Utah.

Ned is survived by his faithful wife of 53 years, Karen; four sons, Jeff (and Rene) of Dayton, Ohio, Scott (and Joan) of Akron, Ohio, Mark (and Pam) of Orlando, Fla. and Eric (and Tara) of Naples, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Alex, Connor, Jessica, Michael, Daniel, Morgan Leigh, Edwin W. III ``Trey' and Ava Mae; sister, Nancy (and Darrel) Seibert; bothers, Bill (and Pat) and Bob (and Cindy). Ned was preceded in death by his parents; and his lovely grandchild, Linnea Rose.

Many will remember him as a gentle man with a deep faith and a everflowing positive outlook on life. He had a great and witty personality and a loving heart. The Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2 p.m. July 23, 2011 at First Presbyterian Church of Akron, 647 East Market St., Akron, OH 44304.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Akron; the Parkinson's Foundation; or memorial contributions may be mailed to: USNA Foundation Inc., 25 Maryland Ave., Annapolis, MD 21401- please note that the contribution is in memory of Ned Oldham for the Athletic Excellence Program.

Published in Akron Beacon Journal