Donald C. O'Hara

Don O’Hara passed away peacefully on December 13, 2025, with his family by his side. Born March 9, 1934 in Clinton, Michigan, his family moved to Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1944. Don graduated from Ann Arbor High School in 1951 and continued his education at Michigan State University. He was active in sports at AAHS earning letters in football and wrestling and was the 1951 Michigan High School State Wrestling Champion for his weight class. The following year he lettered as a member of the Michigan State varsity wrestling team.

In 1953, after completing his sophomore year at Michigan State and shortly before the end of the Korean War, Don volunteered for service in the U.S Army. After completing that two-year commitment, he enrolled at Eastern Michigan University where he met the love of his life, Shirley Marie Shoop and they were married a little over a year later. Don graduated from EMU receiving his BS in Business Administration with a major in accounting and minors in economics and sociology.

A few days after graduation in January 1958 they started a 37-year career with The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. During that time, they lived in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Jackson, Michigan, Bakersfield, California, returning to Akron in 1969 for the next 16 years, and then on to San Diego, Long Beach, and Anaheim Hills, California before returning again to Akron/Cuyahoga Falls in 1987. Don held many positions with Goodyear including Director of Finance North American Subsidiaries, Vice President DCH a subsidiary in California, and at the time of his retirement in 1995 General Manager Plantations. During his time at Goodyear, he was selected for and completed The Management Program for Executives at the University of Pittsburgh and the Strategic Marketing Management program at the University of Virginia.

At various times he served on the board of the Western Reserve Girl Scouts, Treasurer of the Tire and Rim Association, Accountant for the Akron Community Trust, a Junior Achievement Advisor, and in several positions at First United Methodist Churches in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Jackson, MI and Bakersfield, CA.

He was preceded in death by his parents Charlotte (Finkbeiner) and Donald E. “Pat” O’Hara; wife of 67 years Shirley Marie (Shoop) O’Hara, and great-grandson Hunter Michael Crittenden.

Don is survived by his daughters Shannon L. Weldon of Ohio and Patricia S. Lauck of Arizona and Ohio, son Thomas M. O’Hara of Ohio, brother Charles (Midge) O’Hara of Florida. He also leaves 7 grandchildren Jennifer (Sean) Crittenden, Kennth Lauck (Mariana), Scott Lauck (Alexandria), Donald Lauck (Ashley), Andy (Ashley) Weldon, Kevin (Kristina) Weldon, Kathleen Jaworoswki, and 10 great-grandchildren Kayla and Connor Michael Crittenden, Aiden, Addyson, and Ally Parker Lauck, Phil Jaworoswki, Annabelle, Bailee and Chloe Weldon, and Jaxson Lauck, nephew Donald O'Hara (Jobee), nieces Kimberly Fleming and Tamara Ittersagen, along with beloved Finkbeiner cousins and many friends and extended family members.

A funeral service will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025, at 3 pm at Clifford-Shoemaker Funeral Home, 1930 Front St., Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44221. Guests are welcome to visit with the family for one hour prior, from 2-3 pm, also at the funeral home.

In lieu of other remembrances, please consider a memorial donation to the First United Methodist Church Music Ministry.