March 16, 2026
James O'Hara Schlicht of Russell, Kentucky, passed away March 11, 2026, at Community Hospice in Ashland. He was 72. Jim was born March 22, 1953, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the son of the late Joseph Bruce Schlicht and Marian O’Hara Schlicht. Jim was a graduate of Holy Family School in Ashland; graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the Lewis Honors College at the University of Kentucky with a bachelor's degree in political science; earned the J.D. degree from Duquesne University; and did post-graduate work in political science at the University of Kentucky. For nearly twenty years, he was a trust officer in several banks in Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico, and after leaving banking taught American government and political science at the University of Kentucky and Kentucky State University, and undergraduate law at Park University aboard the US Marine Corps Air Station at Beaufort, South Carolina. He was a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and a Kentucky Colonel. Jim served as a volunteer firefighter in Southmont, Pennsylvania, and Flatwoods, Kentucky. He was an avid reader, especially of science fiction and military history. His favorite thing to do was go fishing with his German Shepherd Tip. He was an active member of Holy Family Catholic Church where he was an Usher. Jim was a faith-filled man who loved his life and his family. Jim and his wife, Judith F. Kidwell, met in the seventh grade at Holy Family School. After high school graduation, they were in occasional contact and reconnected by chance when both were in town visiting family. They were married in 2008 and had more than 17 years of adventures together. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his sister, Mary Jane Schlicht Ruf, brothers-in-law John N. Kidwell and Edmund P. Aldous, Jr., a niece Stephanie C. Kidwell, and many beloved aunts, uncles, and cousins. Jim is survived by his wife, his brother-in-law William H. Ruf of Louisville, his niece Dr. Kathryn M. Ruf of Lexington, his nephew Adam Joseph Ruf and his wife Devin Roos of Louisville, sisters-in-law Mary Aldous of San Diego, Eileen Perkins of Baltimore, and Donna Kidwell of Clarksburg, Maryland, and many cousins. A mass of Christian Burial for Jim will be held Thursday, March 19, 2026 at Holy Family Catholic Church by Pastor V. Rev. D. Andrew Canon Garner, KHS at 1:30 P.M. Friends may call at the church Thursday from 11:30 A.M. until the rosary service at 1:00 P.M. Thursday, with service to follow. Burial in Calvary Cemetery will be conducted at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Family School 932 Winchester Avenue, Ashland, KY 41101.
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