James "Ed" Edward O'Reilly

Ed was born September 1st, 1932 to Frances J. and Mabel B. (Cullor) O’Reilly of Unionville, Missouri. He attended Unionville High School and graduated in 1950. He attended Kirksville State Teachers College for two years. Ed worked for his father in the men’s clothing store in Unionville from 1947 to 1952. He served in the Arm Forces from April 1952 to 1956 as a ship serviceman second class petty officers on the USS Yorktown. Ed was a store manager for Thom McAn shoes and Chess Kings which moved him to Fairfax, Virginia and Buffalo New York from 1957 to 1969. Ed was an owner and manager of O’Reilly Ceramics from 1969 to 1979. He retired from American Fire Sprinklers as a fabricator from 1979 to 1995.

In September 1968, Ed married Susan Darlene Abbott. They moved to Kansas City and were married for forty years. Ed was preceded in death by his wife, Darlene, grandson Bryer John O’Reilly, his two sisters, Ann and Louise, brother Frank, his father Frances and mother Mabel. He is survived by his sons, Andrew of California, Danny of Holden, Missouri. Brian and Stacey of Belton, Missouri. Daughter Carrie Torrence of Belton, Missouri. 10 Grandchildren, Danny Jr., Dana, Debbie, Allison, Riley, McKyna, Kylee, Jw, Easton, Preslee. 8 Great grandchildren, Lyrik, Payton, Lily, Conway, Ellie, Kaysin, Colton and Cayden.

A Visitation for Ed will be held Saturday, November 2, 2024 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Mt. Moriah, Newcomer & Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131, followed by a funeral service from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM.