Roger Harold O’Hare, son of Elton Ray and Mildred May (McCashland) O’Hare was born October 14, 1946 in Oberlin, KS and passed away peacefully at his home in Grove, OK on November 17, 2023 at the age of 77.
Roger grew up in the Lyle, KS community and attended Spring Branch School and Norcatur High School. He attended Wichita Technical Institute before entering the U.S. Army in 1966. Roger served domestically and in Europe until his honorable discharge in February 1972. On November 9, 1968, Roger married his high school sweetheart, Connie Lee Michel. Together, they raised two sons, Patrick John and Michel Ray.
Roger and Connie were self-employed, owning O’Hare Oil Company in Norcatur, KS and the Amoco service station in Goodland, KS. Roger also worked for Yost Farm Supply in Goodland, KS where he enjoyed traveling the Midwest visiting with farmers while making his favorite sales of 4-wheel drive tractors and No-Till drills. Roger volunteered for 20+ years on the Norcatur Fire Department.
Roger loved teaching his sons to hunt and fish. He enjoyed NASCAR, dirt track stock car racing in northwest Kansas, boating, and road trips throughout the U.S. During the summer months, Roger and Connie enjoyed exploring various lakes in their RV. Roger always claimed he couldn’t wait “to get on the road again” and would play the song in their truck any time they began their travels. In fact, as they would leave a campground, they would open their windows and Roger would turn up the volume on the stereo and they’d wave to everyone as they made their grand exit. Roger and Connie were huge Denver Broncos fans and relished a family rivalry when their sons became KC Chiefs fans.
In December 2018, Roger and Connie purchased a home on Grand Lake O’ the Cherokees in Grove, Oklahoma, which had fast become their favorite lake. From their deck, they enjoyed not only the lake view, but the deer and other wildlife passing by their backyard. Every summer, Roger would supervise as Connie planted brightly colored flowers in pots for their enjoyment all summer long. Many of these flowers brought in hummingbirds and cardinals which the couple began feeding.
Roger’s personality was full of wit and humor. He loved a good laugh, usually at his own expense, although he enjoyed telling stories of other’s silliness as well. He had the ability to talk with any stranger and immediately make them feel like they had been friends for years. Roger’s lively spirit will live on in the hearts of all who had the pleasure of knowing and loving him.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents and sister Joleen O’Hare. Left to cherish his memory is his wife, Connie, of 55 years; sons Patrick O’Hare (Wendy) of Topeka, KS, and Michel O’Hare (Jennifer) of Lincoln, KS; grandchildren Connor O’Hare of Hays, KS, Landon O’Hare and Kaden O’Hare of Lincoln, KS, Dalton Cooper, Del Rio, TX, Evan Gronau (Megan) of Baldwin City, KS and Avery Gronau of Lawrence, KS; great-grandchildren Maggie Gronau and Garrison Gronau of Baldwin City, KS; brothers Rodney O’Hare (Janice) of Norton, KS and Ronald O’Hare of Denver, CO; sisters Mary Morse of Beaver City, NE, Devra Byers (Kurt) of Hays, KS, and Cynthia Hattrup (Steve) of Coppell, TX.
A memorial graveside service will be held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 10:00AM at the Norcatur Cemetery in Norcatur, KS where Roger participated for many years in the Memorial Day veterans’ service. Memorial contributions may be given to the Norcatur, KS Avenue of Flags in care of Norcatur Cemetery. Condolences can be left at www.plumergobber.com