David Omer, 85, Washington, IN passed away at 1:50 am Tuesday, January 28 at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital in Evansville, IN. Born July 30, 1939, in Blackford, KY, he was the son of Robert and Nina (Boteler) Omer. Dave married Wilda Coleman on November 22, 1962.
Dave was a graduate of Clay (KY) HS and Western Kentucky University. He began his teaching and coaching career in Guthrie, KY before returning to Clay HS. He then shed his Kentucky roots and made the jump over the Ohio River to New Harmony High School. He would remain in Indiana for the rest of his education career, with stops at Waldron High School, Whiteland High School, Boonville High School, Barr-Reeve High School, and Washington High School. He held teaching and administrative roles at those stops, but he was most known as “Coach Omer”. His final game coaching was winning the 2005 3A State Championship game, a storybook ending to cap off 40 years of coaching. Sadly, soon after retiring at the end of the school year, along with wife Wilda, she succumbed to cancer on August 7, 2005. Dave amassed 470 wins across those six Indiana schools and was inducted into the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007. As many of his former players would attest, Dave was considered a ‘tough’ coach. Yet at the same time, he developed many deep and lasting friendships among former players, coaches, and community members at every stop he and Wilda made over his career.
Dave is survived by his current wife, Carolyn (Cherry) Omer, who married on August 21, 2010. He is also survived by son Jon and daughter-in-law Leigh Omer of Westfield, IN and their two daughters Kendall and Jillian, as well as Jason and Leslie Omer of Washington and their daughter Brynna. Also surviving is one brother, Dick Omer, of Pacific, MO. Later in life, Dave’s passion was being involved in the lives of his granddaughters (who referred to him as Pappy). While he had a few other hobbies, it was his “girls” that he truly adored.
Friends may visit with Dave’s family from 4-8 pm est on Monday, February 3, 2025, at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State St. Washington, IN. Graveside services will be held at New Clay Cemetery in Clay, KY at 10:00 am cst on Tuesday, February 4, 2025. The Omer family has requested in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to the Dave and Wilda Omer Scholarship Fund c/o Daviess County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 588, Washington, IN 47501. You can also donate online at Daviesscountycf.org. Online memories may be shared with Dave’s family and friends at www.goodwinsieversfh.com. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Dave and his family.
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