Richard O'Hara

Richard Anthony O’Hara, 24, of West Des Moines passed away on Monday, July 3, 2017.  He was born on November 12, 1992 in St. Louis, Missouri, the first child and only son of Richard B. O’Hara and Lynda (nee Raebel) O’Hara.   Richard was a 2011 graduate of Valley High School in West Des Moines and was most recently employed by Legends American Grill in downtown Des Moines.  He was a free-spirit who set off on his own to experience life in Colorado, Arizona, California, and Washington before returning to Iowa.  He had a kind heart and a caring nature that led him to help those whose needs were greater than his own.  Always curious and interested in how things worked, he was an avid reader who liked to write and enjoyed the humor of British t.v. shows.   He had a knack for funny facial expressions and spot-on vocal impersonations.  Richard loved animals, liked rock music, and was very computer savvy.  His life was cut short by addiction.   Richard is survived by his parents, Rick and Lynda O’Hara, and two sisters, Alyson and Lorelai O’Hara of West Des Moines; grandparents Don and Roxie Raebel of Festus, Missouri; and many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his grandfather, Fran O’Hara and his grandmother, Loretta (nee Stevens) O’Hara.   Funeral services will be held Friday, July 7, 2017 at 2:00 PM with a visitation preceding the service from 12:00-2:00 PM at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home & Crematory in Urbandale.  Burial will follow the service at Glendale Cemetery in Des Moines.   In lieu of flowers, donations in Richard’s honor may be sent to either “Adult & Teen Challenge of the Midlands” or a local addiction recovery center or homeless shelter of your choosing.