Isiah Daniels III passed away on the morning of September 20, 2020. He was born August 12, 1951 to Isiah Daniels-Saafir and Clara (Woodard) Daniels-Saafir. He graduated from John R. Buchtel High School in 1969. He worked at Firestone Tire and Rubber Company before attending the University of Akron, and earning his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History in 1973, followed by a Juris Doctorate from the University of Akron School of Law in 1976. He held licensure through The Supreme Court of Ohio, United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals, 6th Circuit, and the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio.
He previously served as Associate General Counsel for the University of Akron (1982-96); Adjunct Professor, University of Akron School of Law (1984-2005); Assistant Attorney General Office of the Ohio Attorney General (1977-82); Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Stark County Ohio (1976-77); and Assistant to the President, University of Akron. Mr. Daniels further served as the University of Akron Compliance Officer from 1996 to 2005. Throughout his legal career, he also engaged in a variety of consulting and training activities that focused on employment and labor relations, diversity training, legal research, and writing.
Mr. Daniels was a member of the National Association of College and University Attorneys, Ohio State Bar Association, And Akron Barristers, and Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
He served on the Board of Trustees for the Portage Path Behavioral Health Center, Northeast Ohio Psychiatric Institute, Akron Community Foundation, United Way of Summit County, and the Summit County Court of Common Pleas Mediation Advisory Council.
Mr. Daniels enjoyed history, photography, popular music, and was an avid reader. He loved attending Broadway shows, visiting local wineries and farm markets, and playing card games. His children were his joy and his crown.
Mr. Daniels was preceded in death by his father, Isiah Daniels-Saafir, and brother, O’Dell Daniels Sr.
He is survived by his son, Bearden; daughter, Aminah; mother, Clara; brothers, Embree and Rafael (Lisa); sister, Jacqueline Daniels-Sharkey; sister-in-law, Rita Daniels, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins and other relatives.
May God Almighty grant Isiah rest eternal with all the Saints, and may his soul rest in perfect peace with the blessed. This we pray in Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
The family of Isiah Daniels would like to express heartfelt thanks for the outpouring of genuine love and support in this season of loss. Special expressions of thanks to the medical caregivers of Cleveland Clinic/Akron General Hospital, Western Reserve Hospital; and Sommerville Funeral Services.