Hondros, John G.
1943 - 2022
Our beloved John George Hondros passed away peacefully at his home on May 28, 2022 surrounded by his loving family and lifelong friend Dale Peel. For 78 years, John was admired and adored by many people throughout the world who had come to know him through life, adventures and business. Those left to treasure his lasting memory include his loving wife and partner of 35 years, Linda; and his four children, Kelly Hondros (Corey Poches), Hobie Hondros (Kelsi Ratcliff), Morgan Hondros, and Cody Hondros (Justin Roberts); his grandchildren, Bennett Hondros, Theodore (Teddy) Hondros-poches and Johnny Hondros-poches. He was born on December 11, 1943 in Wichita, Kansas to George John Hondros and Margaret (Helgerson) Hondros. His sister, Mary Margaret Fay, predeceased him in 2021. John’s beloved dog Arusha was by his side for the last 12 years (2021). John attended high school at Kapaun High School in Wichita, Kansas where he played football and basketball. He graduated from The University of Kansas, Oklahoma City Law School, and Xavier University with his MBA. He cherished his role as social chairman for his fraternity Phi Gamma Delta (class of 1966).
John started his career in Columbus, Ohio more than 48 years ago as a practicing attorney along with restoring homes in German Village. In 1981, National Education Seminars was born as a resource for adult learners to start careers in real estate and insurance that would eventually become Hondros College, one of the largest privately held education companies in the country with schools in Ohio, Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania, New York and Nevada. In 2007, with John’s vision and leadership, the College wrote, developed, and launched a Nursing Program to assist in the nursing shortage.
Within five short years,
Hondros College of Nursing became the second largest nursing school in Ohio and prepared thousands of nurses for the workforce. As the schools and businesses expanded, John began developing commercial real estate for the expansion. He would go on to design and develop over 200,000 square feet of commercial space. A few years later
he fulfilled his dream of
starting a very successful farming operation which farms 3000 acres and raises American Wagyu cattle for a company he co-founded, Sakura Wagyu Farms. Throughout his career John made it a priority to stay current and focused on current affairs and business trends and he always made sure his companies were prepared to weather any storm or take advantage of any opportunity. He also started Verdant Creations, Purpose Leaf, Motive CBD, and Anastasia Restoratives. Over the years, John enjoyed spending time in the mountains in Lake City, Colorado, and at the beach in Freeport, Grand Bahama. John will be remembered as a loving husband, father and grandfather, an entrepreneur with great vision, an educator, a farmer, a humanitarian, a sportsman that loved to
hunt and fish, an adventurous traveler, a mentor, a storyteller, a risk-taker, and a man with a huge generous heart. Through hard work and tenacity he had many successes in his lifetime, but one of his great successes was how he touched and improved the lives of everyone who was fortunate to know him. Thousands of adult students credit their careers to him, and hundreds of associates have provided for their families and grown in their careers through his guidance. Over his lifetime he gave generously to his friends, his community, and countless people who came to him for support, advice and friendship. Visitation and calling hours will be on Monday, June 13 at Rocky Fork Country Club, 5189 Clark State Rd., Gahanna, OH 43230 from 10AM-2PM and 4PM-7PM. The funeral mass will be at the Church of the Resurrection, 6300 E. Dublin-granville Rd., New Albany, OH 43054 at 10AM Tuesday, June 14; Fr. Denis Kigozi, celebrant. Condolences may be sent to the family at Schoedinger.com. The family would like to thank Ohiohealth for all of their wonderful care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in John’s name to Ohiohealth Hospice or the Ohiohealth Provider and Associate Well-being Fund. Gifts can be made at http://foundation.ohiohealth.com/hondros-memorial or by mail to the Ohiohealth Foundation, 3420 Ohiohealth Parkway, 3rd Floor, Columbus, Ohio, 43202. Arrangements entrusted to SCHOEDINGER NORTHEAST.