Ronald Raymond O’Mara, age 82, passed away peacefully at home on October 6, 2019. He was born on a snowy Tuesday morning at 6:45 am on February 9, 1937 in the basement of their family home in Brighton, Colorado, to Irene Rose Lahti and Clarence Willam O’Mara. He was a humble man to say the least, slow to speak of his own accomplishments and achievements. However, quick to talk about his children and grandchildren whom he loved beyond himself.
Ronald, better known as Ron or Ronnie by many, grew up the second oldest of seven children. He valued five sisters, and one brother. Growing up Ron was an extremely active child, excelled in school, and began an early passion for all things newspaper with his first paper route beginning at seven years old. His family and himself traveled far and wide. Beginning in Colorado, then to Washington, next to Sacramento, before settling in Modesto, California where the family of nine was then complete.
Ron excelling in school graduated with honors from Thomas Downey High School in Modesto, California on the 14th day of June in 1956. During his senior year of High School, Ron then enlisted in the United States National Guard. He concluded his basic training on February 19, 1956 from the First Battalion 185th infantry regiment training center. Ron then went on to complete six months of active duty within the department of the Army. On July 7, 1958; Ron began his duties in the National Guard of California; specialist third class E-4. He began with entered service duties such as infantry, then changed to heavy weapons, before ending his duties with transportation of trucks and jeeps.
While remaining in the reserves of the National Guards of California Ron went on to complete two years at Modesto Junior College where he received his AA degree in printing. He was honorably discharged completely from his service duties on the 31st of July in 1963. Given his extremely humble attributes, Ron spoke very little of his time serving our country. He always felt his greatest accomplishment in life was his true love, his wife JoAnne. Ron and JoAnne met in the Fall of 1960 at Devine Gardens Bowling Alley in Modesto, California. JoAnne had gone to Modesto to visit her brother and sister-in-law when the group had gone to go bowling where Ron was employed at the time and thats where their love story began. Ron and JoAnne were married the next year on the 2nd of September in 1961.
While still residing in Modesto Ron and JoAnne welcomed their first daughter, Patricia Louise O’Mara on the 7th of July in 1962. The family of three then moved to Fresno, California in the summer of 1963. Ron immediately sought employment at Midstate Bowling Alley, where he was the main mechanic. They then welcomed their second daughter Mary Elizabeth O’Mara on the 27th of April in 1964. From Midstate Bowling Alley, he then pursued he dream of printing when he gained employment at United Grocers which then became Flemings Food Co. in 1965. He truly enjoyed being able to put his artistry to work by creating the grocery books that travelled California wide. He loyally worked for the company for 35 years never missing a day of work.
Once he retired from Flemings Food Co. in 2000, he continued on to The Fresno Bee where he became one of the head printers for the company. Desiring more time at home with family, Ron then retired from The Fresno Bee in 2009. Ron has many accomplishments, hobbies and passions. He was a dedicated Catholic servant attending Sacred Heart Catholic Church for over 47 years. He displayed his Irish heritage loud and proud, cheering to the best of us. He genuinely enjoyed maintaining the perfect landscape of their small family home, all things printing, a good western movie, a strong black coffee, a good fudge square, a hard stiff whiskey, a long drag of a Marlboro cigarette, a good game of the San Francisco Giants, and all things 49ers! While Ron was a man of very few words, when it came to a 49er game he used his full vocabulary. A true super fan to say the least, the 49er spirit was passed on to generation to generation. Our family home is full of an exorbitant amount of 49er memorabilia, and there is never a game to be missed. When you pass by the O’Mara residence and you hear screaming its ok, its just a 49er game.
While these things truly brought joy to Ron the thing that fueled him the most was his passion for bowling. He had a pure love and enjoyment of bowling. He grew up bowling from a young age with his family, which created an avid bowler. He attended numerous bowling competitions placing high series, 200 series, 700 series, second place and first place several times. He was even invited to attend a prestigious bowling competition with many of the Valley’s Greatest Bowlers. When many picture Ron, they picture a bowling alley right along side him. If you ask our family what we remember about our childhood, all of us would say the long days and nights that we spent in a bowling alley. We loved nothing more than gathering together, mostly on Friday Nights at Cedar Lanes Bowling Alley to cheer on Papa as he bowled games that ranked in the 200s. He was never more focused, and determined than when he grabbed his bowling ball, walked up to that foul line, took a deep breathe and threw that ball. While he ended numerous times in his famous 4-7 split, more times than could be counted he hit a strike ending his games towards the top of the leader board. If he didn't end up at the top; well we knew it before we even saw the score. Beginning at a young age going from numerous bowling alleys, and bowling right up until a month before his passing Ron’s happiness stemmed from throwing that ball, watching it slide down the lane and hitting those pins. Nothing was Ron like watching him in a bowling alley.
While these many hobbies and passions made up who Ron was, his core was his family. When you ask his wife, two daughters, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who papa was it was each and everyone of them. He loved hard and whole heartedly. He was delighted to be a father to his daughters Patty, and Mary. He was elated to be a grandfather to his grandchildren; Michael, David, and Danielle and ecstatic to be a great-grandfather to Taylor, Tiffany and Trinity. He was the epitome of a selfless person, putting everyone one of us before himself. He was the most giving, caring individuals. He was a true strong tower and pillar that completely held our family together. While he will be truly missed, we know that he is looking down on us everyday. We promise to make you proud Papa.
Ron’s Rosary Service will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Cedar and Clinton, Friday October 18, 2019 at 7pm. His Memorial Service will be Saturday October 18, 2019 at 9 am followed immediately by Graveside at Fresno Memorial Gardens. All are welcome, for he was loved by all.
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