Services set for former Clark County Commissioner Gordon Flax

RELATED: Former Clark County commissioner dies

A separate gathering will be one hour before the funeral, which is scheduled at 11 a.m. Thursday at the Plattsburg United Church of Christ, 1715 S. Urbana Lisbon Road in South Charleston.

Gordon Flax was the grandfather of Melanie Flax Wilt, who now also serves as a Clark County commissioner. Flax Wilt filled the seat previously held by longtime Commissioner John Detrick.

Flax was active in numerous organizations, mostly related to the area’s agriculture community. Along with serving as a former director of the Clark County Agricultural Society, he also previously served as president and executive director of the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and president and manager of the Clark County Fair.

MORE: Speedway's steady growth benefits region

Flax helped the commissioners see the county through a tough economic period in 1993, when the county used up its general fund and its reserves and was forced to slash budgets and cut the number of sheriff’s deputies. After voters rejected a 0.5 percent sales tax in November 1993, he shook off talk of retirement before his term ended.

Gordon Flax was a great advocate who served Clark County and the agriculture community faithfully, said Clark County spokesman Michael Cooper.

READ MORE: Madison Twp. to vote on utility aggregation issues in November

“He always made decisions based on what he felt was best for all our citizens. He will be greatly missed. Commissioner Lohnes, Commissioner McGlothin and our staff send our condolences to Commissioner Flax Wilt and her family.”

Flax, who was a farmer for 40 years before entering public office, was first elected in 1988 and served two four-year terms before retiring at the end of 1996. He was also a former director of the Clark County Agricultural Society.