Former Claysburg-Kimmel superintendent James O’Harrow served the district from 1983-2010 before retiring. Courtesy photo

One morning before going to work as Claysburg-Kimmel superintendent, James O’Harrow helped deliver a baby calf at a friend’s barn while wearing a suit and tie.

John Burket, owner of Burket Falls Farm, said O’Harrow took off his tie, rolled up his sleeves and got to work.

“Most superintendents wouldn’t step in a barn because of the smell,” he said, but O’Harrow was “as happy as can be.”

O’Harrow passed away Thursday morning at 75 of a heart attack at Heritage Oaks of Englewood, an assisted living facility in Florida, where he lived with his wife, Ginny.

He is remembered for his lasting impact on the Claysburg community, especially as superintendent from 1983 to 2010.

“Above all, he was a friend to every person he met in the community,” said former Claysburg-Kimmel student and teacher Steve Walter.

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Born in Kittanning on Jan. 1, 1950, O’Harrow graduated from Shannock Valley High School before receiving a bachelor’s degree in music from Grove City College in 1971.

With master’s degrees in education and music from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, O’Harrow worked as a music teacher at Fairview School District and assistant principal at Northwest Area School District before coming to Claysburg-Kimmel High School as principal.

Burket said he was a student when O’Harrow came to Claysburg-Kimmel in 1979.

O’Harrow could connect with any student, despite their background, Burket said, adding that the then-principal connected with students based on their interests.

He would talk to students who were sent to the office, and “when they left that office, they didn’t want to disappoint him by getting sent back next time,” Burket said.

Eight years later, Burket served on the school board with O’Harrow as superintendent.

They oversaw the elementary and high school building remodeling projects that Burket said were “controversial” at the time, but “we got through them successfully.”

While serving as superintendent, O’Harrow also worked as an adjunct professor at Gannon University.

Before retiring in 2010, Burket said O’Harrow was making a run for the longest-tenured superintendent with Bill Miller of the Tyrone Area School District.

“It’s unique because superintendents today don’t last that long,” Burket said.

Outside of school, he had three children: Jonathan, Kelli and Adam; along with one granddaughter, Layla Jade O’Harrow.

Impacting lives

In his retirement, O’Harrow and his late wife, Mellodye, moved to Rotonda, Florida, where she passed away in 2014 due to health complications.

An active member of Community Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Florida, O’Harrow eventually met and married Ginny. They have been married for more than 10 years.

“He was a very outgoing person,” Ginny, 87, said. “Like he never met a stranger.”

Traveling back to Pennsylvania from time to time, however, she said many former students and community members would greet him in stores and restaurants.

“He was recognized by so many people, and I, not being from the area, was amazed that so many people knew him,” Ginny said.

Former Claysburg-Kimmel IT Director Jerome Dodson was one person who knew O’Harrow quite well, as Dodson received Christmas and birthday cards from O’Harrow.

When Dodson’s daughter, Angela Daeger, recorded an album in Nashville, Tennessee, Dodson said O’Harrow showed up at the CD release party.

“He was a hit everywhere,” Dodson said. “I can’t say enough good things about him.”

He is also remembered for his comical performances in Claysburg Rotary “Hee Haw” shows, which had audience members “rolling” with laughter, Walter said.

As the Claysburg community mourns O’Harrow, Dodson said the former superintendent’s memory will live on.

“In my mind, he was a true legend,” Dodson said. “He was one of a kind.”

The Claysburg-Kimmel School District Facebook account posted an announcement Friday of O’Harrow’s death. The post received more than 300 reactions and 100 shares in three days.

“Such an amazing man,” former Claysburg-Kimmel student Maria Leppert commented. “If you didn’t know him, you sure missed out.”

In lieu of flowers, Ginny said donations can be made to Community Presbyterian Church and/or the Mision Peniel ministry in Florida.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.