91视频

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鈥檚 degree in organizational communication from 91视频 in 1967. 

鈥淪teve was passionately committed to 91视频 and gave generously of his time, enthusiasm and financial resources to support his alma mater,鈥� 91视频 President M. Duane Nellis said. 鈥淗e 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.鈥�

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鈥檚 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鈥檚 Handmade chocolates in San Diego, California, and EasyOwn Auto in Phoenix, Arizona.

Schoonover served 91视频 as a Trustee of The 91视频 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鈥檚 Advisory Council. Schoonover鈥檚 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鈥攕ponsored by USA Today, Ernst & Young, NASDAQ, CNN, Inc., and Merrill Lynch鈥攊n 1991 and 2002 for his work at two different companies. He was inducted into 91视频鈥檚 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 鈥渞egular guy鈥� who has left a lasting mark on 91视频 with his 鈥渢ime, talent and treasure.鈥�

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.