Jerry Eugene Oharah died on August 17, 2023, at his home in Overland Park, where he resided with his wife and son Gene for the past year.
He was born on December 11, 1940.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Verne and Laverne Oharah. He grew up on a farm in Irish Valley, near Uniontown Kansas with his parents and three siblings; Jack Oharah (Elaine), Lynne Oharah (Marla), and Charlotte O’Hara.
Jerry married Betty Lou Graham on March 19, 1960. Together they had four children; Gene Oharah, Dean Oharah (Daylene), Elizabeth Dawn Armstrong (Jay), and Angela Johnson (Mark). He has eight grandchildren: Angie Zumbrunnen, Paris Zumbrunnen, Tanner Oharah (Greer), Riley Oharah (Julica), Cassandra Armstrong, Zachary Johnson (Kyley), Kaden Johnson, and Ashley Miller (Chad). He has six great-grandchildren: Zion Oharah, Avonlea Oharah, Ledger Joe Johnson, Jake Cottingham, Aiden Cottingham, and Max Michel.
Jerry graduated from Uniontown High School in 1959. His career began with AT&T putting up microwave towers. He and his growing family traveled twenty-three western states, moving every two weeks, from 1962-1967.
Jerry and his family then moved to Ottawa, Kansas where he worked for Southwestern Bell for eight years. He and his family then moved to Goodland, Kansas where Jerry continued to work for Southwestern Bell. He put in thirty-eight years with the telephone companies. He also worked as a motorcycle mechanic and was a talented mechanic and machinist.
Jerry and Betty enjoyed riding motorcycles, and together they rode almost every pass in Colorado, rode in several other states, and Old Mexico.
They moved from Goodland to the family farm in Irish Valley in their later years. With the help of their children, they restored the original home and turned it into a one room cabin (eventually adding on). The family spent a lot of time together at the cabin and Jerry always had a project.
Jerry was a hard worker, generous, creative and a great friend to many. Family was very important to him.
Rev. Marty Dewitt will conduct funeral services at 11:00 AM Saturday, August 26th, at the Uniontown Missionary Baptist Church.
Burial will follow in the Uniontown Cemetery
. The family will receive friends from 10:00 AM until service time Saturday at the Church.
Memorials are suggested to the Uniontown Missionary Baptist Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.