Milton James Place

Milton James Place, died Sunday, August 22, 2021. Born in Lima, Ohio on July 15, 1952, he was the son of the late Ned and Barbara (Durbin) Place. He is survived by his loving wife, Lena, whom he married in 2009; beloved father of Annaliesa (Diego) Garcia of Piermont, New York and Anthony (Rachel) Place of Cleveland and dearest grandpa of Calima and Vera Garcia. He is also survived by four beloved sisters, Sandra (Robert) Kattman of Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Cynthia (Aaron) Hossler of Tiffin, Stephanie Frederick of Columbus and Mary (Mark) Henry of Auburn, Indiana. He was a favorite uncle of four nephews and the niece and nephew who preceded him in death. Milt spent his early years on the family farm in Wapakoneta. A graduate of Tiffin Columbian High School in 1970, he received a BA from Adams State University and a M. Ed from Bowling Green State University. While at Adams State, Milt trained under the tutelage of renowned coach, Joe Vigil, where he was a member of the 1971 National Championship cross country team. He went on to run the Boston Marathon, placing 57th in 1976. He began his more than four decade long career in Tiffin, where he taught elementary school and coached for 17 years. He started the women's cross country program and grew the Tiffin Cross Country Carnival to one of the largest events in the nation. In 1992, Milt moved to Medina where he taught sixth grade, became the head coach for track and cross country and was the founder of the Medina Cross Country Festival. Upon retiring from a 35 year teaching career, he continued as the head cross country coach and led his teams to many district and regional titles, including a state championship in 2007. He won numerous awards, was inducted into four Hall of Fames including the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, Adams State University and Ohio Association of Track and Cross Country Coaches and was a 10 time Medina Gazette Coach of the Year. Known for his puns, jokes and stories, Milt had the uncanny ability to slip them into conversations which also included an encyclopedia of trivia knowledge. A presence that lighted up a room, he was generous with his love, actions and thoughts. His love for painting houses began in high school and continued throughout his life. An honorable, patriotic, fair and gentle man, his family and all who loved him know the deep and positive impact he had on the hearts and lives of so many people. A memorial service will be held Sunday, August 29, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Ken Dukes Stadium, 777 E. Union Street, Medina. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be appreciated to the scholarship fund he established named after his parents. Checks can be made payable to: Medina City Schools Foundation, c/o Medina City Schools Board of Education, 739 Weymouth Rd., Medina OH 44256 attn: Ned and Barbara Cross Country Scholarship. Online condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.waitefuneralhome.com