Jon Reed Omdahl

Services for Jon Reed Omdahl, 79, of Tyler, TX will be held on Wednesday, February 19 with visitation at 1:00 pm and the service to follow at 2:00 pm. Both will be held at Shiloh Road Church of Christ, 1801 Shiloh Road, Tyler, TX 75703 under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home with Burke Brack officiating. Mr. Omdahl completed his race on Thursday, February 13 in Tyler. He was born on January 2, 1946, in Boston, MA to Russell and Virgina Omdahl. He attended high school in Winston-Salem, NC where he met his future wife, Becky. She sat behind him in their sophomore English class as they sat in alphabetical order. Becky reflected by saying “be careful who you sit near!” They were married in 1966. After spending one year at Michigan State University, he transferred to Abilene Christian College and earned his B.S. in Education in 1968. He later returned and obtained his M. Ed in 1972. In 1968, he began his teaching and coaching career in Winston-Salem, NC. He taught History and coached Boys’ Cross Country. As a beginning teacher, he was selected to be a faculty member of the first integrated high school in Winston-Salem. He and Becky moved to Lubbock, TX in 1976 where he continued his career in the classroom as well as coaching. The majority of his years in Lubbock were spent at Coronado High School where he enjoyed teaching Economics, U.S. Government (both on level and advanced placement), U.S. History and World History. When not in the classroom, he was actively coaching Boys’ Cross Country and Girls’ Track and Field. At one time, he was the only Texas Cross Country coach to coach Boys’ Cross Country at five different schools at one time in Lubbock ISD! Jon retired from the public school setting in 2002. He and Becky moved to the East Texas area and relocated to Tyler. They became active members of the Shiloh Road Church of Christ. Jon came out of retirement and began teaching high school and coaching at East Texas Christian Academy in 2003. During his years at ETCA, he coached Tennis, Soccer, Cross Country and Track. His students still remember his dry wit and “Omdahlisms.” One of his track athletes remembers him as a calm, quiet coach, but could always hear him during her races, even in the chaos of a track meet. Coaching Track and Field was his passion and after the season ended in 2014, Coach Omdahl hung up his stopwatch and passed the baton to the next generation. His teaching and coaching career spanned a total of 47 years. Many of these coaching years were shared with his dear friend, Melvin Houston. He always looked forward to traveling back to Lubbock in the spring as a long-time high school official to assist with the UIL Regional Championship Track meet. Jon was a member of several organizations throughout his career: Phi Alpha Theta (International History Honor Society), Texas Cross Country/Track and Field Officials Association, South Plains Track and Field Officials Association, Officer - West Texas Running Club, Texas High School Coaches Association, and Texas Retired Teachers Association. Jon (Grandpa) loved spending time with family (especially his grandkids) as well as collecting stuffed bears, working in the yard, watching hummingbirds, bicycling, and running. He was an avid runner and participated in 18 marathons, such as Dallas White Rock, Ft. Worth Cowtown, Houston, San Antonio and the Austin Motorola! It is worth mentioning that he loved his red Corvette! He also enjoyed volunteering at the East Texas Food Bank with Shiloh Road church members. Jon was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Virginia Omdahl. He is survived by his loving family: his wife of 58 years, Becky, and children: Larry (Tina) Omdahl of Gladewater, TX; Jennifer (Raymond) Rumsey of Forney, TX; grandchildren: Kelsey and Erik Omdahl, Carter (Dana) Rumsey, Kylie Rumsey, and great granddaughter, Ava Rumsey; sisters, Mary Gudikunst of Pennsylvania and Sally Omdahl of California as well as extended family – sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews. Honorary pallbearers will be his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Cherokee Home for Children, PO Box 295, Cherokee, TX 76832; Parkinson’s Foundation, 5757 Waterford District Drive, Suite 310, Miami, FL 33126. The family would like to thank the compassionate caregivers of Silver Lace Memory Care unit at Primrose Retirement Community and Heart to Heart Hospice of Tyler for their wonderful care.

Jon Reed Omdahl

January 2, 1946 - February 13, 2025