Judge V. Lee Sinclair Jr.

Judge V. Lee Sinclair, Jr., retired

Age 70, of Canton passed away Saturday April 30, 2022 in Aultman Compassionate Care following an extended illness. He was born November 10, 1951 in Canton, OH to the late Virgil Lee and Thelma Irene (Dunlap) Sinclair. Judge Sinclair received his undergraduate degree from Kent Sate University and his J.D. from the University of Akron School of Law where he was named Outstanding Law Student and also Editor of the Akron Law Review. He began his career as assistant Stark County Prosecutor and private practice as a partner with Buckingham, Doolittle and Burroughs. He served as Judge with the Stark County Court of Common Pleas from 1995 until his retirement in 2012. His sense of fairness, communication skills and ability to listen made him one of the most honored and respected judges in the State of Ohio. Judge Sinclair had a passion for teaching and gained a reputation as an authority nationwide as an expert on death penalty cases, courtroom procedure and courthouse security. He served three terms as Chairman of the Ohio Judicial Board or Trustees. Judge Sinclair had served as vice chair of the Stark County District YMCA. Named Paul Harris Fellow and Canton Rotary Member. His community service has included Stark County Farm Bureau Board trustee; North Canton YMCA Board of Trustees; Palace Theater Board of Trustees; Camp Tippecanoe board; National ASTAR Fellow charter class; chair of Ohio Judicial Board of Trustees; faculty at Walsh University; faculty at the National Judicial College University of Nevada; faculty at the Ohio Judicial College; executive committee of the Stark County Bar Association; author of text and published articles on legal and judicial practice; Master Gardener’s Program of Stark County; Who’s Who in America; Who’s Who in American Law. He is preceded in death by his half-sister, Wanda Gonda. Judge Sinclair is survived by his loving wife, Janet L. Brahler-Sinclair to whom he was married 26 years; two daughters, Shannon Sinclair and Kelly (David) McClintock; two stepdaughters, Jennifer (Bill) Reynolds and Kelly McGrew; five grandchildren, Taylor, Nathan, Cade, Anna and Maria McClintock; one step-grandchild, Billy Reynolds; dear friends, Jim Repace, Larry Leslie and Mike Harvey. The family would like to thank Dr. Greg Manson, his nurse, Amber Headley and the staff at Aultman Compassionate Care for their wonderful and heartfelt care. A private family burial will be conducted in Forest Hill Cemetery. Memorial donations in Judge Sinclair’s name may be made to the Stark County Master Gardener’s Program at OSU Extension Office, RG Drage Camus, 2800 Richville Dr SE, Suite 100, Massillon, OH 44646 or the Exploration Gateway at Sippo Lake Park at 5712 - 12th St NW, Canton, OH 44708. Condolences or fond memories may be shared online at www.sandersfuneralhomes.com.

Kreighbaum-Sanders

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