Paul J. Logue 1974-2023

Born Sept. 13, 1974, the youngest of John and Mary Suddes Logue’s five children, Paul’s memories of Youngstown’s steel mill closures would shape his lifelong resolve to build strong, sustainable cities, where all people have the voice and security he knew they deserve.

Paul graduated from Cardinal Mooney High School in 1993 and went on to earn his bachelor’s degree in political science at Ohio University in 1997. He eventually settled in Columbus and worked in finance before enrolling in a graduate program in city and regional planning at Ohio State University.

Upon his graduation from Ohio State in 2008, Paul married Sarah Heigle and the two (plus Ella the dog) moved to Athens, where they started a full and joyous life together. Paul made sure they never wanted for adventure — always finding the best live music wherever they went. For Sarah, memories of their quiet days at home hold just as much sweetness as the big shows and trips around the world.

When Calvin David was born in 2014, Paul took on fatherhood with his characteristic steady grace and wry compassion. Thanks to Paul, his family’s life was filled with laughter, good music, holidays (both the traditional and invented varieties), his mom’s recipe for spaghetti and meatballs, and the kind of light and love that can’t be extinguished, even by a terminal brain tumor.

During his 15 years as the Athens City Planner, Paul brought his gift for consensus-building to dozens of projects, including Athens 2040, the city’s comprehensive plan; Essence of Athens, a combined study and branding effort designed to share with the world why the city is so special; the redevelopment of the Athens Armory; and multiple city commissions, whose meetings rarely ran over, as long as Paul was helming the agenda. In 2023, he received the Beacon of Light Award for his efforts to save historically Black Mount Zion Church.

At every point of his well-lived life, Paul collected devoted friends who were drawn by his generous sense of humor, his strongly-held opinions on the sports and music he loved, his quiet intelligence and his sentimental streak. All of those friends will tell you uproarious stories, and this: there was no one like Tall Paul.

Paul follows his father, John Norbert in death. In addition to Sarah, Calvin, and Mary Logue, he is survived by a veritable host of family and friends: siblings, Ann Logue (Rik Lantz), Julie Zeroski (Craig), John Edward Logue (Patricia) and Mary Kathleen Scudier (Michael); parents-in-law, Dave and Loretta Heigle; brother-in-law, David Heigle (Kathy); nieces and nephews, Andrew, Francine, Ella, Jack, Luke, Abby, Rees and Magdalena; also, college friends who have become family; and Athens friends, colleagues and neighbors, who bolstered him and his family through a difficult year of illness. Forever loyal to her Paul, Ella the dog is surely by his side now, while his beloved Dobby comforts (and barks at) the rest of us.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 29, 2023, at Jagers and Sons Funeral Home, 24 Morris Ave., Athens, OH 45701. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one of these local organizations whose missions were so close to Paul’s heart: Mount Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society (mountzionathens.org) or Stuart’s Opera House (stuartsoperahouse.org).

Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.

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