John William Tobias

John William Tobias, age 86, formerly of Toledo, OH, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024 in hospice care in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was born June 5, 1938 to Lewis and Katherine (Meincer) Tobias. 

Though John enjoyed a long and accomplished career in science, his life defied it at every turn. He survived multiple heart surgeries and cancer, and exhausted even the most generous prognoses from doctors, right until the very end. It’s tempting to believe that he was sustained by an insatiable lust for life and an appreciation for the gifts it bestowed upon him. A spirit of adventure led him around the globe, through nearly every continent and every state in the union, but he derived equal pleasure from the intimacies of a well-cooked meal or from reading a storybook to his grandchildren. He always looked forward to the next spot on the map or the next time he could see family or the next time he could lend a helping hand. And his passion bought him more than nine lives. 

Raised in Toledo alongside his older brother Lew, with whom he shared many of these wonderful traits, John married his high school sweetheart, Carol Kellogg, and they had three children together— Cynthia, Mary and Julia. Between providing for his family and pursuing his education, it took him 12 years to earn a Chemistry degree from the University of Toledo, a period exacerbated by his wife’s sudden passing. Meeting Mary Jo Tobias (Theisen), his wife and loving companion for 54 years, brought him a new source of stability, strength and love, and allowed him to expand his career ambition and his family beyond what he imagined possible. They had two children together, Scott and Danielle.

Throughout his decades of work at companies like Owens-Illinois, Sewell Plastics and Graham Packaging, John aided in the conversion of glass jars and bottles to plastic and authored numerous patents along the way. In retirement, his lifelong compassion for the less fortunate, particularly the plight of vulnerable children, led to 18 years of volunteer work as a Guardian ad Litem in the Spartanburg County court system and eight years at Spartanburg Regional Hospital. For his survivors, there’s no greater inheritance than the curiosity, humor, empathy and heart he brought to the world every day. 

He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Jo, and his five children, Cynthia Tobias (Janet Ray), Mary Tobias, Julia Tobias-Bearss (John), Scott Tobias (Alison) and Danielle Frías. He was blessed with many beautiful grandchildren and eight loving nieces and nephews. 

A remembrance of his life is planned for Saturday, December 28th at 11:00 am at Dunbar Funeral Home in Roebuck, South Carolina. The family will receive guests following the service.

In lieu of flowers, well-wishers are encouraged to follow his example and consider a donation to Spartanburg Regional Hospice, 686 Jeff Davis Dr, Spartanburg, SC 29303 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place Memphis, TN 38105.