Morris Eugene O'Hara

Morris Eugene (Gene) O'Hara, age 93, currently of Smithville, TN, passed away peacefully at home and went to be with our Lord on 6/25/2025. He was born on September 22, 1931, in Nashville, TN to Rose Cockroft and Edward Emmett O'Hara. He was raised in Nashville and then attended Tennessee Technological University where he lettered in tennis and received a bachelor's degrees in math and engineering. He also served in the US Army from 1954 until 1962 as a 1st lieutenant and helicopter pilot. He met and married Rose Terry Johnson while at Tech and they had 2 daughters Sue and Peggy. He later began his career in mechanical engineering at Union Carbide in Oak Ridge, TN where he worked until retirement in 1993.

While in Oak Ridge he was an active member of Oak Ridge 1st Cumberland Presbyterian Church, coached his daughters' softball and basketball teams, and was an avid golfer at Oak Ridge Country Club.

After retirement Gene devoted many hours to his passion of golf, loved cheering on the Vols and the Braves, and was active in his grandchildren's' lives by attending sporting events, birthdays, graduations and family vacations. After living in Tellico Village for several years, he moved to New Mexico, Texas, and Louisiana, then to Smithville, TN to be close to family in his final years

He was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers Jim and Pat O'Hara, and wife Dorothy Gene O'Hara. He is survived by daughters Sue Ellen Alexander (Jimmy) and Peggy O'Hara Poag (Frank) and their mother Rose O'Hara, 7 grandchildren Lauren Alexander, Jeffery Partin (Jennifer), Lauren Clay (Jon), Katie Gaither (Josh), Zach Alexander (Ceannie), Anna Hinton, and Russell Poag (Kaley), and 10 greatgrandchildren. He is also survived by a brother Edward O'Hara (Sandra), 13 nieces and nephews, stepdaughter Jennifer O'Hara and her mother Bonnie.

A celebration of life will be held at Oak Ridge Country Club on August 17 at 11 am with visitation beginning at 10:00.