The 20-member Class of 2021 was chosen from among 142 nominations and represented 13 Ohio counties and five military branches. This year’s class joins 915 Ohio veterans who have been inducted since 1992 and represents all eras, branches of service, and walks of life.
Gary Loxley
Loxley was inducted during a regional ceremony held last month in Kettering. The Ohio Department of Veterans Services produced a video of the regional induction ceremonies that was released on Veterans Day and can be viewed on their website.
“I was certainly honored by this recognition of being inducted into the (Ohio) Veterans Hall of Fame,” Loxley said. “There are many veterans in the private sector, public sector and volunteers who do wonderful things in our community.”
Loxley, a Springboro resident, said he was approached in 2019 by a friend of his from the Reserve Officer Association about being nominated. After looking at the roster of more than 900 Ohio veterans who have been inducted, Loxley said, “I’m humbled by it all.”
A native of Greenville, Loxley began his military service as a member of the Ohio Army National Guard. After a two-year break in service, he applied for and received a direct commission as an officer in the Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps. He served on active duty from 1988-1995, then continued his service part-time in the Army Reserve. He retired as a colonel from the Army Reserve in January 2018.
After leaving active duty, Loxley began working as an assistant prosecuting attorney in the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office in January 1996. After four years in private practice and 14 ½ years in the prosecutor’s office, he was appointed as a judge in the Warren County Court, where he has since been elected twice.
As a judge, Loxley founded the Warren County Veterans Court shortly after he was elected, and has been presiding judge since its inception. The Warren County Veterans Court is a specialized docket certified by the Ohio Supreme Court.
Loxley said the recognition gives him more incentive to work harder and to be more aware of veterans’ services and to help vets in the community.
“I’m proud to represent all Ohio veterans as a member of this year’s class,” he said.
Dennis Quebe
In a career spanning 45 years, Quebe, 69, grew his electrical contracting company, Quebe Holdings, Inc., to more than 650 employees and a revenue of $150 million.
Quebe achieved this success after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps and attending the Electrical Apprenticeship program. He served on numerous electrical industry boards, including eight years as the National Electrical Contractors Association’s president and vice-president.
He chaired or co-chaired the National Training Alliance, the Academy of Electrical Contracting and the ELECTRI International Foundation – which helps fund leading research programs in the industry – and, currently, the National Electrical Benefit Fund.
In keeping with the Marine Corps values of honor, courage and commitment, Quebe has been active in branch associations like the Marine Corps League and the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. He serves on the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Legislative Affairs, where for 20 years he has advocated for the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Quebe has devoted himself to philanthropic efforts, including the annual Marine “Toys for Tots” program, Habitat for Humanity, the Wounded Warriors program and the Helmets to Hardhats program. He continues to give to worthwhile causes like Honor Ride 2021, which provides escort services to WWII veterans to memorials and historic landmarks.
The Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame was established in 1992 by former Gov. George Voinovich to recognize the post-military achievements of outstanding Ohio veterans. The members of the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame are honored in a permanent display near the Ohio Statehouse at the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts in Columbus.
Other Miami Valley veterans inducted in the Ohio Veterans Hall of Fame class of 2021 include:
David A. Bauer*, Army, Clark County
Gary A. Loxley, Army/USAR/OHARNG, Warren County
Linda Strite Murnane, Air Force, Greene County
Dennis F. Quebe, Marine Corps, Warren County
Barry J. Shillito*, Army Air Corps, Montgomery County
Jo N. Wildman, Navy/Coast Guard, Greene County
Charles E. Young*, Army, Greene County
* Posthumous Award
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