James O. "Coach Mo" Moriarty

It is with great sorrow that the family of James Owen, (Mo, Coach Mo), Moriarty announce his passing on January 19, 2021. At the age of 83 Mo passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family. Private Celebration of Life will be held on January 27th at 10:00am. You are invited to join Live Stream at www.mcgilleystatelinechapel.com.

Mr. Moriarty was born December 20, 1937 in Parsons, KS to Charles Joseph and Margarette Cecelia (Purdon) Moriarty. Mo was a loving son, brother, husband, father, (Pappy Mo) to his grandchildren and (Happy Mo) to his great-grandchildren. Growing up in Parsons, he attended St. Patrick Catholic School (K-12). He loved to play baseball, football and basketball. His college days were spent at Benedictine, Atchison, KS and then St Mary of the Plains College, Wichita, KS where he played football on scholarship. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education. He later received his Masters in History at the Pittsburg Teachers College in Pittsburg, KS. His teaching career began at St Peter and Paul Catholic High School in Seneca, KS where he taught math, history, and coached football and was assistant coach for basketball. He then went on to teach at St Pius X Kansas City and continued to coach football. He finished out his teaching and coaching career of 35 years at Southwest High School in Kansas City, MO retiring in 1996 where he influenced the lives of many and will forever be remembered as “Coach Mo”.

Mo was an active member of St Agnes Parish volunteering his time and talent over the years. Later in life, he and Sherry moved to Christ the King Parish of Kansas City Missouri.

Mo loved fantasy football and looked forward to his side bets with friends. He loved time spent attending the hillside KU football games with family and friends. Mo enjoyed hunting on the farm and looked forward to the annual fishing trips with his buddies. Over the years his grandkids filled his calendar with their sporting events. They remember him always being there. He enjoyed taking long walks and reading fifty-cent garage sale books he and Sherry would find along the way. Mo loved to dance, especially with Sherry. They took several trips over the years enjoying life and family creating memories for a lifetime.

Mo loved reminiscing and sharing his stories of back in the day and about college in particular. Some of his best college days were spent at the lake and working his part-time jobs. Mo loved bartending at Club Billards where all his college friends would come hang out. Mo was most proud of the summer job he had working for Mayrath Implement Company in Parsons, KS driving the Big Rig across the country.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Charlene Fitzmorris, and his son Charles Lewis Moriarty.

Mo is survived by his loving wife of 35 years, Sherry L. (Duke) Moriarty, his children, Woody (Sara) Moriarty, Mary Ann Thomason, Lisa (JT) Meyers, and Traci Driggers. Grandchildren Megan, Alison and Matthew Moriarty, Nicole Thomason, Nick, Emily, Ashley and Natalie Meyers, Mike and Christopher Thompkins, Jessica Maynard, Denny Welsh and his six (6) great-grandchildren. Mo loved and lived life to the fullest. He will forever live in the hearts of all those he has touched with his smile and sweet loving soul. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care.