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Portage County’s `go-to judge’ retiring
TRACEY BLAIR
Legal News Reporter
Published: December 19, 2014
John Enlow worked his way through The University of Akron School of Law by teaching at Windham Middle School.
“With four years of doing that, you really have no social life,” he said.
After more than three decades as a judge, the 69-year-old Ravenna resident will finally have some free time.
Enlow will retire as Portage County Common Pleas Court judge Dec. 31 after deciding not to seek re-election for a final term.
“I guess I decided 36 years was enough,” he said. “I want to spend more time with my four grandchildren and travel with my wife while we’re still able to do it. Right now I’m in pretty good health.”
Retirement means Enlow will also have more opportunities for his passions – fishing and moose hunting in places like Newfoundland.
“We once went two years where I didn’t have to buy any beef,” he said. “My wife and I split the cooking 50-50.”
Enlow was Common Pleas judge for 18 years and spent the prior 18 years as Portage County Municipal Court judge.
The oldest of three children, Enlow was born in Texas to a teacher mother and lawyer father.
“My mom is kind of amazing,” he said. “She got her college degree in the late `30s or early `40s. She taught school at Ravenna and spent her summers getting her master’s degree.”
Enlow moved to Ravenna at the age of 1 and never left.
“I like the nice, small-town atmosphere,” he said.
After graduating from Ravenna High School in 1963, Enlow went to Ohio University for his undergraduate degree.
In his final year of law school, he worked as a law clerk for Brouse McDowell in Akron.
After graduating from Akron Law, he worked with his father, Chester, at Enlow and Chell from 1972 to 1978.
“I liked working with my dad,” Enlow said. “I served as defense counsel in two death penalty cases by the time I went on the bench. I’m one of the few judges who is not a former prosecutor.”
As a judge, capital cases are difficult, he added.
“It’s a lot of stress,” said Enlow. “One of the most difficult parts for the judge is selecting the jury. Sentencing someone to death is also difficult. It’s not easy to do that.”
Enlow’s wife, Lois, is also highly accomplished.
A former home economics teacher at Ravenna High School, Lois is also the former director of the Portage County Board of Elections. In addition, she used to chair the county’s Republican Party.
Enlow and his wife have two sons, Jeffrey, a chef/owner of a Washington D.C. restaurant and Scott, who works in the maintenance department at the Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority.
The couple also has a German Shorthaired Pointer named Richter.
“I think `Richter’ means `judge’ in German,” Enlow said of the dog’s name.
The judge used to coach his boys in baseball and soccer. His other community involvement included being a member of Ravenna’s Charter Review Commission.
Enlow was instrumental in computerizing the Portage County court system. In addition, as a member of the Ohio Judicial Conference Ohio Jury Instruction Committee, he helped write pattern jury instructions for judges throughout the state.
Enlow said one of his most memorable trials was one of the first hazing cases in the state.
“It was a black sorority and they paddled each other to the point where they bled,” the judge recalled.
Enlow credited his highly-qualified staff with making it easy for him to do his job to the best of his ability.
“I’m very sad to see him go,” said Darlene Pepper, Enlow’s longtime judicial assistant. “He’s a very intelligent man. He is very patient and caring. He’s unreplaceable.”
Shirley Siciliano, Enlow’s bailiff, added that Enlow’s departure will be a huge loss to the Portage County judiciary.
“I think he’s very fair and kind,” she said. “I have never heard anything negative about Judge Enlow. He’s a good man.”
Portage County Municipal Court Judge Kevin Poland agreed.
“I’ve known him since high school and we’ve been neighbors for about 50 years,” Poland said. “His father practiced, my father practiced, and my wife used to baby-sit his kids. He’s very well-respected, and with good reason. He’s got common sense and is extremely knowledgeable. He lets the attorneys do their work and rarely gets angry. He’s been a great example for me.
“I’ve been on the bench five years and have practiced in front of him, and you couldn’t get a fairer trial. John’s a real gentleman. He’s definitely going to leave a void.”
Becky Doherty, who will take over the bench for Enlow Jan. 1, said the judge has been patiently teaching her the ropes.
“He’s been giving me lots of information,” Doherty said. “He’s the go-to for all the other judges. It’s going to be tough to not have him to go-to anymore! He remembers all the changes in the law. Everybody respects and thinks the world of Judge Enlow.”
When asked about his proudest accomplishments, Enlow said he hopes he’ll be remembered for trying to give everyone an equal playing field.
“Everybody should get a fair shake to try your case,” he added. “People should be handled with dignity and respect, and I think I’ve been good at that.”
Enlow said he’s not quite ready to leave the job completely.
“I’d like to be a visiting judge if they’ll have me,” he said with a smile. “It’s been a fun 36 years. I’ve enjoyed my job. But it’s a new frontier.”
The former teacher may even become a student again.
“I might even go back and take some college courses,” he said.