Edward J. "Ned" O'Mara

Edward J. “Ned” O’Mara, 85, Emporia, Kansas, passed away surrounded by his family on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at the Flint Hills Care Center, Emporia, Kansas.

Ned was born in Emporia, Kansas on December 25, 1940, the son of Wilbur and Mildred (Heffron) O’Mara. Ned married Diane Bush at Newton, Kansas on November 24, 1978. She survives of the home. He is also survived by sons; J. Scott (Beth) O’Mara, Lansing, Kansas, Scott (Kenda) O’Mara, Emporia, Kansas, and Shawn (Michelle) O’Mara, Lawrence, Kansas, daughters; Lori (Rodney) Johnson, Gridley, Kansas, Danielle (Aaron) Armitage, Emporia, Kansas, and Kristin (Andrew) Dennison, Radcliff, Kentucky, grandchildren; Cody O’Mara, Cailin Swan, Brier and Callie Johnson, Tristin Clark, Adalynn, Kaitlynn, and Delaney Armitage, Drew O’Mara, Kaden O’Mara, and Levi Law, as well as four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother; James O’Mara, sister, Elizabeth Nail, brother-in-law; Derry Nail, grandson, Connor O’Mara, and granddaughter, Ashley Johnson.

Ned had received his Bachelor of Arts Degree from the College of Emporia, and earned his Masters Degree from Emporia State University. Through his career in education he worked as a Teacher (Math), Counselor, and Football and Basketball coach. He taught at high schools in Olpe, Kansas, Yates Center, Kansas, Axtell, Kansas, where his Basketball team went to the State Championship game, Higginsville, Missouri, Northern Heights High School, Allen, Kansas and at Marymount College, Salina, Kansas. He had been retired 23 years.

Ned shared so much love with everyone at school, but he also poured that same love and knowledge into all of us, his kids, his grandkids, and anyone he ever had the chance to coach. This is just who he was. Even in his last days, he was still coaching, and still finding a way to help someone get just a little bit better.

If he watched his granddaughters on video, they knew what was coming, the next visit would include a full gametime critique. Because of his love for sports and his love for his kids and grandkids we were the lucky ones.

Thank you for every lesson, every laugh, and all the love you shared with everyone you crossed paths with.

He was a member of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Emporia, where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 25, 2026 at 10:30 A.M. A graveside service will be held later that day at 2:00 P.M. at the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, north of Admire, Kansas. The family will receive friends beginning at 10:00 A.M. in the church parish hall. Cremation is planned.

Memorials have been established to the Lyon County Girls Softball Association to help with membership fees, or the Sacred Heart School to aid with tuition. Contributions may be sent to the Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801, which is in charge of arrangements.