September 17, 2025
Hilliard, Ohio | Age 87
John Zoltan Fargo, age 87, of Hilliard, Ohio, passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on the evening of September 17, 2025. He leaves his devoted wife of 64 years Phyllis; children Timothy (Kathleen), Alan and Melissa (Michael) Lewis; brother Tom Fargo (Barb Konoff); and grandchildren Peter, Luke and Amelia Fargo, and Dylan and Erik Lewis. He was predeceased by his infant daughter Patricia Hope Fargo and parents Zollie and Esther Fargo.
John joined the 2nd Special Forces Group Active Army Reserve in the 1960s as an enlisted soldier and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. After completing law school, he was commissioned through the JAG core and held the rank of Captain. In the early 1970’s he transferred back to the 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and continued serving there as an ODA commander. John served for 17 years and participated in nearly 100 airborne operations as paratrooper.
John earned his bachelor’s degree from Ohio University and then attended The Ohio State University College of Law, graduating in 1964. He was accepted into the Ohio State Bar and spent most of his legal career as a partner in the Strip, Fargo, and Hoppers Law Firm. He was known to be an honest, hard-working attorney who represented his clients’ best interests and avidly upheld the standards and ethics of the legal profession.
In the community, John was active in various committees, including the Franklin County Zoning Board, Franklin County Republican Committee, Past President of ADAMH, Kiwanis and the Knights of Columbus.
A life-long devoted Catholic, he was a long-time member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church, having served as a member of the Parish Council, Finance Committee, Lector, chairman of several festivals and the fund-raising chairman for the current church building. He most recently belonged to Saints Simon and Jude Parish in West Jefferson.
John was proud of his family and his Hungarian heritage. An avid Ohio State Buckeye fan, he also thoroughly enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening, and was a lover of big dogs. He enjoyed reading and action movies, was a history buff with particular interest in military events. He also enjoyed any good reason to execute a well-planned practical joke among friends.
A memorial donation to Luminary Hospice or your charity of choice would be greatly appreciated.
*Luminary Hospice
2400 Corporate Exchange Drive, Suite 110, Columbus, OH 43231
The Fargo family invites friends and family to a visitation and funeral mass in honor of John. The visitation will be held on Monday, September 22, 2025, from 4:00-6:00PM at the Tidd Family Funeral Home, 5265 Norwich Street, Hilliard, Ohio, 43026. The funeral Mass will be held the following day, Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at the St. Simon and Jude Church, and will begin at 10:00AM with a luncheon to follow.