University mourns loss of alumnus, benefactor Steven Schoonover

Steven L. Schoonover passed away on Feb. 27, 2020. Born in Akron, Ohio, in 1945, he was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. He earned his bachelor’s degree in organizational communication from Ohio University in 1967. 

“Steve was passionately committed to Ohio University and gave generously of his time, enthusiasm and financial resources to support his alma mater,” Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis said. “He created a lasting legacy through his vision of excellence for the Scripps College of Communication, where he generously provided invaluable educational opportunities for our students.”

In 1968, Schoonover enlisted in the United States Army Reserves and trained at Fort Polk, Louisiana, and Brooke Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas, as an SP4 Medical Corpsman. In 1972, he was commissioned as a captain in the U.S. Army Reserves. He also earned his juris doctor from Creighton University Law School in 1972.

Schoonover began his career at Owens Illinois in Toledo, Ohio, before forming Fibrebond Corporation in 1982 where he became President & CEO in 1987. Fibrebond was an industry leader in the development of cell sites in a factory setting to, then, be shipped to permanent locations. He also served as President/CEO of Blue Ridge Cellular, a full-service cellular telephone company and subsidiary of Fibrebond, located in Christiansburg, Virginia.

In 1997, Schoonover founded and became President/CEO of Cellxion LLC, which forged its way to become the world’s largest producer of radio-integrated shelters for the wireless telecommunications industry before its sale to a private equity firm in 2007. In 2001, he founded and became general partner of Schoonover Investments LP. Schoonover served as director and chairman of the Audit Committee of US LEC, which is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina; as a director for Contango Oil & Gas in Houston, Texas; as director of Sabre Industries; and was owner and director of Jer’s Handmade chocolates in San Diego, California, and EasyOwn Auto in Phoenix, Arizona.

Schoonover served Ohio University as a Trustee of The Ohio University Foundation. With 16 years of service, he holds one of the longest periods of trusteeship on the board and was appointed emeritus status in 2016. He served on the Bicentennial Campaign Cabinet, as a member of the Promise Lives Campaign Steering Committee, and as a member of the Scripps College of Communication Dean’s Advisory Council. Schoonover’s love and dedication to OHIO was showcased in 2007 by giving back to help construct the Schoonover Center for Communication.

Schoonover earned many prestigious awards including Entrepreneur of the Year—sponsored by USA Today, Ernst & Young, NASDAQ, CNN, Inc., and Merrill Lynch—in 1991 and 2002 for his work at two different companies. He was inducted into Ohio University’s Communication Hall of Fame, received the Joan Herrold Wood Award for Lifetime Commitment, and was honored with Cutler Herrold Society membership.

Schoonover, who always asked to be called Steve, was a self-proclaimed “regular guy” who has left a lasting mark on Ohio University with his “time, talent and treasure.”

Schoonover is survived by his wife, Renee; stepson Brandon Wood and his wife, Sarah McLean Wood; stepdaughter Kaci Wood and her husband, Matthew Aaron; former wife Barbara Geralds Schoonover; sons Brett Schoonover and his wife, Anne, and David Schoonover and his wife, Courtney Pickett; and daughters Kristen Erler and her husband, Jeff, and Michelle Payne and her husband, Brian.

Visitation with the family will be from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4, in the Rose-Neath Funeral Home Southside, 2500 Southside Drive, Shreveport, Louisiana. The Celebration of Life will be at 2 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at First United Methodist Church Shreveport, 500 Common St., Shreveport.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made in memory of Steve Schoonover to Houston Methodist JC Walter Jr. Kidney Center, gift designation: Kidney Transplant.