In Loving Memory...

George Haray Ohye, 86, passed away peacefully surrounded by family, on Friday, January 28, 2022, after a brief battle with cancer.

Born in Los Angeles, California, George was the eldest son of Frank S. and Lillian H. Ohye. He had a younger brother, Kay Ohye.

George’s childhood in California was disrupted on February 19, 1942, when President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, for the internment of Japanese-Americans living on the West Coast of the United States. Soon thereafter, George’s family was incarcerated, first in the assembly center at the Santa Anita Racetrack, where the families were housed in the horse stalls, and then in the internment camp in Poston, Arizona.

After World War II, the family settled in New Jersey, where George graduated from South River High School. George was a member of the Class of 1957 at Rutgers University, where he joined the Tau Delta Phi Fraternity and formed many lasting friendships. A member of the ROTC at Rutgers, George was proud to have served his country in the US Army and Army Reserve after graduation. While working full-time and raising a young family, he pursued a law degree at night, receiving his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University in 1971.

George enjoyed a long and successful career in the Pharmaceutical Industry. He held leadership positions at Carter Wallace, Johnson & Johnson, and Bristol Myers Squibb. As a senior executive responsible for worldwide regulatory affairs at these corporations, George was responsible for FDA approval of many novel medicines that have helped preserve the health of millions of people. These included, Slow-K (the first slow-release potassium supplement), Seldane (the first non-sedating antihistamine) and Lopressor (the first beta-selective beta blocker). George was esteemed in the industry for his high ethical standards, unselfish mentorship, and commitment to excellence. In 2003, George was honored with the Drug Information Association (DIA) Lifetime Achievement Award.

George’s family and friends were the source of his greatest happiness. George and his wife Donna led a rich and happy life, traveling around the world and around the country, attending concerts, dining out, and socializing. George was highly principled, unwaveringly generous, warm, and welcoming. He approached life with a “glass half full” attitude, drawing people into his embrace, turning strangers into friends, and friends into family. He was fiercely proud of his children, deeply valued his many friends, and was the consummate host and the heart of a lively crew of both family and friends.

George is survived by his beloved wife Donna, and their happily blended family: Diane Ohye and husband, Gary Mitchnick, Rick Ohye, wife Bonnie Ohye (Dahman) and daughters Maddie and Lily Ohye, Jan Ohye and husband, Osni Omena, Cort Castro, and Carrie Schroder (Castro) and husband Tim Schroder. He is also survived by his brother, Kay Ohye and dear nieces, nephews, and cousins.

The service will be private, with a celebration of life to follow at a future time. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to either the Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati or The Congenital Heart Center at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.