Obituary: Johnny "Jeff" Hill II
Jeff loved his family and friends, dropping whatever he was working on to help anyone in need.
Jeff Hill (Johnny Ferguson Hill II), surrounded by loving family, died on Sunday, Aug. 9, in Cincinnati, Ohio, after a sudden illness at age 66.
Jeff was born in Martinsville, Virginia, on Feb. 11, 1960. He was the second child of Rachel McCastlain Hill, a loving homemaker and later an administrative assistant at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and Johnny Ferguson Hill Sr., a long-time professor in mathematics education at Miami.
Jeff grew up largely in Oxford, attending McGuffey Laboratory School, Talawanda High School and the Oxford United Methodist Church, where the whole family were members.
After starting college at Miami, he transferred to North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina to complete his bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering. Upon graduation, Jeff began a 42-year career as an engineer, manager and executive, mostly with GE in Cincinnati, France and Louisville, Kentucky. He also worked with Belcan Corporation (Cincinnati) and Woodward, Inc. (Fort Collins, Colorado).
Along the way, Jeff completed his master of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Cincinnati. Jeff's knowledge, keen mind, excellent communication skills and ability to mentor and guide team members were instrumental in helping to shape his successful career.
While at GE Aerospace, Jeff met the love of his life – his "One Thing", bff and soul mate – Gina Loomis, who was also an aerospace engineer at GE. They were married in 1988, embarking on an incredible, inseparable 38-year odyssey together. Early on, they were blessed with two wonderful children, daughter Lindsay Marie and son Johnny Ferguson III. Their lives were enriched by travel (work-related and for pleasure, including a multi-month RV excursion across the USA), good music, vibrant art, lively dancing, excellent food and fine wine – which Jeff would sometimes order for the table in French!
Sports and physical activity provided lifelong joy for Jeff, and he always seemed to be on the move. He was especially fond of basketball, playing for Talawanda and then later in multiple adult leagues in Cincinnati. But he also loved baseball, tennis, swimming, skiing, hiking or just tossing a football around with family and friends. The beach was about the only place he would sit for extended periods of time, soaking up the sun and watching the water, but even there he would be one of the first to hit the waves for some serious bodysurfing.
Music was instrumental to Jeff's life (pun intended). From his childhood and teenage years, he was an excellent singer, participating in church and school choirs, as a member of the May Festival Chorus in Cincinnati, and as part of a family musical quartet with his father and younger brothers, accompanied by his mother and sister. Later, he taught himself how to play guitar, plucking out tunes around the house or playing at their church for Sunday services or in support of the high school and middle school programs. That love of music continued throughout his life – performing The Messiah, joining in his son-in-law's and nephew's band, or singing with his wife, brothers and sisters-in-law. Music was often playing in the background in his and Gina's home, and Jeff loved "discovering" and sharing some new artist he found on various alternative music channels.
In retirement, Jeff and Gina had moved outside of Boulder, Colorado, to be closer to his daughter and her family, as well as other extended family. A proficient handyman, Jeff had already completed several home improvements in Colorado, adding to the list of projects, renovations and additions that he and Gina completed in Cincinnati and other locations.
Jeff loved his family and friends, dropping whatever he was working on to help anyone in need. He was one of the most selfless and caring individuals one could ever meet. He was kind, smart, hardworking and joyful. He told people he loved them, he hugged them, saw them and let them know how special they were.
Jeff is survived by his wife, Gina, of Superior, Colorado; daughter Lindsay Hill Masters and her husband, Ben, of Superior; son Johnny III and his wife, Allison, of Cincinnati; four precious grandchildren (Wesley, Rachel, Johnny IV "Jack" and Kacey); sister Leigh Foy and her husband, Greg, of York, Pennsylvania; brother Fenton and his wife, Michelle, of Boulder; and brother Eric and his wife, Jennifer, of Fairfield, Ohio.
In addition, he leaves an aunt, Rosa E. Hill, of Poquoson, Virginia, an uncle, Morris Sheppard McCastlain, Jr, of Lakeland, Florida, and many loving nieces, nephews and cousins.
This obituary was originally published by Spring Grove Funeral Home.
