Obituary: Jerome “Jerry” “Mo” Mohar, 79, Hood River

Jerome Mohar (Jerry, “Mo”) passed from this world into the next, at his home on December 16, 2025.  Jerry fought an extended battle with Lewy Body Dementia with a quiet bravery and strength to the end.

Jerry was born on February 26, 1946, to Jerry Sr. and Florence Mohar in Cleveland, Ohio.    He remembered his childhood, as almost idyllic. As an only child, Jerry was surrounded by his father, his grandfather, and his father’s friends.  He was known as “the kid”, with his own honorary bowling shirt.  Jerry learned to ride a bike in his grandfather’s poolhall, ran errands for the guys, which involved getting a treat for himself, bowling when he got the chance, and playing an accordion at neighborhood dances.  His dad’s friend gifted him with what is now, the family pool table. He and his dad spent countless hours in their basement playing pool.

His parents lived on a modest income, but by the time Jerry was 16 he had his own car and his own boat. On weekends, he and his father took the boat to Pelee Island.  Fishing, swimming, and falling asleep to the rocking of the boat filled his days and nights. 

When he graduated from high school, Jerry went to Ohio State, majoring in science.  While there, he earned a bachelor’s degree and subsequently earned a master’s degree. In college, Jerry taught ice skating to earn money for books and played pool to earn money for beer.  

After graduating he taught at Bratenahl High School in Cleveland, but the lure of the northwest prevailed and after a few years, he moved his family to Hood River, OR where he spent the rest of his career teaching science at Lyle High School in WA. His students called him “Mo”.  He coached baseball and had a belief that you could never tell how a kid was going to do.  They surprised you, in sports, in life.  They were just developing, and you could never write the script.  A student who had been jumped out of a gang, left him a note, saying he would always have his back. Another student wrote to him, saying he had taught him more than science, he had taught him about life, and the universe.

 An ex- student, working in the IT Dept at the University of Washington, passed through Lyle. He offered Jerry a room at his house and summer job at the University of Washington. It was a dream summer, staying up late talking “tech,” grabbing a bite at the coffee shop, and arriving on campus about 10:00.

 Jerry was curious about wildflowers, in love with orchids, and passionate about handball.  In the spring it was not uncommon to see him getting up at 4:30 am, identifying wildflowers before school, teaching, and then hitting the handball courts at night.  On the court he wore unmatched socks, yelled and pounded the wall at a missed shot, and analyzed each game upstairs over a beer. 

Jerry has three children: Jason who lives in Olympia, WA and works in the state dept, Celeste who has an alternative medical clinic in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Kendra, who is an RRT in Hood River, OR. He has four grandchildren, each who has a special place in his heart.  Logan graduated with his pilot’s license, Ethan, is pursuing his helicopter pilot’s license, and Kendra and Brycen who are each in high school. 

Jerry met his wife, Judie, while they were both out running late at night.  They were married for 43 years, and it was the adventure of a lifetime. Loving, and living, and learning, each day. Jerry’s quiet presence, keen wit, sarcasm, and intuitive sense of people, deepened their lives and quickened the space around them. Sitting quietly beside each other, holding hands, reading a book, watching a movie, were as enriching as traveling to the places, and countries they visited. He was cherished by his family, loved by his friends.

A special man. He will always be remembered and carried in people’s hearts.

Services are planned for 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 10th, 2026 at Riverside Community Church (317 State St, Hood River, OR 97031).  Graveside Committal will follow at Idlewilde Cemetery of Hood River, Oregon.

Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson’s Tribute Center, 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031. Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com.