James "Jim" R. O'Meara

Jim’s services will be livestreamed and viewable below starting at 7:00 PM Thursday, May 28 and 11:00 AM Friday, May 29:

Prayer Service:

Memorial Service

James Robert O’Meara, age 66, of Fargo ND, died at HIA Hospice House in Fargo on Tuesday, May 19, 2026 after a hard fought battle with cancer.

Jim was born on August 9, 1959 along with his twin brother John in Fergus Falls, MN. He was the son of Edward “Vince” and Marilyn O’Meara. He grew up in Moorhead and graduated from Moorhead High School 1978. He moved to Fargo where he met his loving wife Wendy at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. They were married on September 1, 1990. Through 36 years of marriage they raised a beautiful family of three children and eventually four grandchildren. Jim was so proud of his family, their successes and overall happiness.

Jim’s work ethic began at the age of 8 when he and his twin brother had a paper route together in Fergus Falls and then later in Moorhead. In high school he worked at a Holiday gas station in Moorhead, then began a career at Northern Improvement Co. in 1979. He spent 40 years at Northern Improvement on various crews, but was most passionate about dirt work and plowing snow. He loved the machinery and the perfectionism he could bring to any job. His crews there became like another family to him. He most recently worked at Scheels Home and Hardware as his “retirement gig” and loved every moment he spent building, organizing, and socializing with staff and customers there. The team there made him feel so cared about and appreciated. It was one of his favorite places to be.

Jim will be remembered as a social butterfly who could and would strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He made people feel seen and cared about by remembering snippets of their stories and chatting about anything under the sun. We will remember that he never had a dirty vehicle in his garage, snow on the driveway, or a haphazard shrub, hedge, or tree in the yard. Working on his vehicles and in the yard brought him immense joy. Most importantly, Jimmy’s love-language was Acts of Service. He always took care of any job that needed to get done for anyone who needed help. He worked hard, never quit, wanted the job done right and to be proud of the result.

He was a pillar of strength to his family and was so proud of each of them. He was enamored with his grandchildren’s personalities and looked forward to watching them grow. He had so many stories left to share with them. Despite this, we are reassured that his story will live on through them. His strength for his family was evident even through the end, as his heart was strong until his very final moments.

James is survived by his wife Wendy O’Meara; daughters Alyssa (Kyle) Johnson and Emily (Cole) Mehring, and son Matthew (Sara); grandchildren Tate & Tyler Johnson, and Griffin & Vera Mehring; sisters Mary (Darvin) Carda, and Trish (Curt) Eide; brother-in-law Elroy Finkelson; sisters-in-law Donna O’Meara, Deb (Kelly) Perhus, Kim (Darren) Fitch, Tami Gilbertson; father-in-law Donald Gilbertson; and countless nieces and nephews, cousins, and close friends.

James was preceded in death by his parents, Vince & Marilyn O’Meara; brothers Edward, Brian, John O’Meara; sister Cathe Finkelson; and mother-in-law Karen Gilbertson.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Essentia Cancer Center or HIA Hospice of Fargo where Jim received excellent care.