Donald O'Hara

Donald O’Hara, formerly of Buckner, MO, passed away peacefully September 24. 2010. He was born February 23, 1921 in Lake Forest Illinois and during his lifetime he excelled in Sports, Civic Responsibilities, and Church and with the love and admiration of his family, as a loving and caring Husband, Father, Grandfather, and Great Grandfather. He truly was an inspiration and motivator to all those who played sports, serve in civic duties and worked with him at Hallmark Cards for 35 years. In sports, he was known for his athletic abilities, as an outstanding player for the University of Missouri football team and a record setting sprinter and hurdler for the university’s track team. He interrupted his athletic career to serve his country in World War II as a United States Army officer in the Pacific. After his playing career he always found time to coach and help young players in baseball as well. As a Civic leader, he was an a Board Member and President during of formative year of developing Fort Osage School district from a rural district into a modern suburban school district in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Later on, in the late 1960’s he was instrumental in restarting the Fort Osage Athletic Booster Club. Mr. OHara was an active member in the Buckner First Christian Church and later on, in the Pleasant View Christian Church, serving on various boards and committees, to support the growth of these two churches, as well as sang in their choirs. Don, as he was known to his friends, is survived by his wife of 66 years, Ruth Mary (Burnley) O’Hara; three children, Cathy Semkin, Terry O’Hara and Dennis O’Hara; one son-in-law, Richard Semkin; two daughters-in-law, Ann and Paula O’Hara; 7 grandchildren and spouses, Todd and Mary Ann Semkin, Patrick and Stacy O’Hara, Amy and Tom Zimmerman, Jonathan O’Hara, Alisha O’Hara, Meghan and Mark Higgins, and Ryan O’Hara; and 5 great grandchildren, Jackson (Great grandpa called him Spike) Semkin, Audrey Zimmerman, Brandon O’Hara, Sabrina Zimmerman, and Logan O’Hara. A visitation will be held from 9-10:00 a.m. with a 10:00 a.m. celebration of Donald’s full life on Saturday, October 2, at the Speaks Buckner Chapel, 300 Adams, Buckner, MO. Graveside remembrance will be at the Buckner Cemetery. The family requests contributions to Pleasant View Christian Church in lieu of Flowers.