4800 E Indian School Rd
Phoenix, AZ 85018
OBERT, EDWARD EUGENE
In fondest memory of my wonderful father, Mr. Edward E. Obert, 73, of Phoenix, Arizona, who passed away in his sleep on 7/7/2022. Many people have said he was one of the kindest and most caring people they had ever known. A man of much warmth and deep love for all family members, he showed immense courage and fortitude through his final years of great personal suffering and remained positive and cheerful.
“Eddie”, “Eddie-O” or “Coach” are all names he was referred to. He will be greatly missed by so many. A devout Roman Catholic Christian, he is now free from suffering and pain and in the loving presence of his Heavenly Father and reunited with his wife and love of his life, Shari Obert.
Eddie was born in Indianapolis, IN to Eugene Obert and Rosemary Talley Obert.
The family moved to Phoenix when he was a baby. He is survived by two children, Jayson Spears and Sandy Chavez, 2 Grandsons, Adam and Alex and 7 siblings, Jeannette Bordeleau, Don Obert, Rita Borden, Linda Pachuta, Bill Obert, Patti Millard and Richard Obert.
Eddie had a long and successful career in Large Group Sales in the Insurance Business. He had many friends and colleagues over the years that he cherished greatly. Eddie graduated from St. Mary’s High School in 1968 where he had many leadership roles and went on to ASU. He has lifelong friends from high school that he loved dearly. He was a devoted golfer and die-hard sports fan. He assistant coached basketball at Paradise Valley High School in AZ. He coached 2 state championships on the Phoenix Suns-sponsored American Legion team. They won back-to-back state championships. He coached Football, basketball and baseball at St. Teresa’s Elementary School.
Services will be Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 3:00 PM at St. Mary’s Basilica at 231 N. 3rd Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004.
It was such an honor and privilege to meet such a wonderful human being. He was such a kind and loving human being. I am thankful that our paths crossed. Thank you Eddie for allowing me spend your last and final days with you as your caregiver. Until we meet again my friend.
To the family, I pray that you feel the love of God during this difficult time. Blessings❤️
My deepest condolences to Sandy, Jayson, Adam and Alex. Eddie will be missed but not forgotten. I love you all!
Eddie and Shari were both one of a kind personalities and will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know them. I have fond memories of both over the course of the last twenty years which all bring a big smile to my face!
Living next door to Eddie during my college years, we left our homes at the same time early in the morning each day. As sports junkies, we would always chat about what was going on with our teams and then razz one another about something. Sometimes it was just a ten-second shout across the yard while other times we would be out front for twenty minutes then rush off to work and school. Needless to say, St. Mary’s was ALWAYS brought up as Eddie was a proud alma mater.
Fast forward twenty years and I now call the Obert family home my own; yes we purchased it from them. While the home has seen some changes, there is always something around that will bring up an old memory of them. My wife Heather and I speak of Eddie and Shari often and will always keep a few of their possessions displayed throughout the property. Eddie’s golf putting green is meticulously maintained while Shari’s numerous cooking tools are used regularly and backyard trinkets are displayed. Eddie was able to walk through “His Home” after renovations were completed and his kind words during our conversation that day still reverberate with me.
We wanted to pass along a few of these stories and while we are saddened by the passing of Eddie, he and Shari are undoubtedly ecstatic to be reunited and pain free. Our deepest condolences to Sandy, Alfredo, Jayson, Adam, Alex and the entire extended family; the Jackson/Obert Home is always open to you guys.
Steve, Heather & Brooke Jackson
I played football against Eddie’s team for the city of Phoenix championship when I was twelve-years old. A year later I was fortunate enough to become friends with him at St. Mary’s High School. We’ve been friends ever since. I count his friendship as one of the great privileges of my life. Throughout his life, Ed exhibited more civility, compassion and understanding than anyone I ever met. I feel sorry for myself, the Obert family, Jason, Sandy, and the entire human race that he’s gone. It is with great sadness and sincere relief that I say I’m glad he finally was able to escape this earth. I loved you, Coach.
Mike McShane
Eddie O. embodied the spirit and values synonymous with student life at St. Mary’s Catholic High School.
Eddie and his 1968 classmates walked the hallowed halls of the former 3rd/Polk Streets school site for four years.
What a four years they were…adding to the Knights’ acclaimed athletic wins in further filling trophy cases, and proudly displaying championship gymnasium banners.
Significant threads bound us together…spirituality, leadership, diversity, excellence, integrity, a sense of community rich in Phoenix history, a winning spirit and student body commaraderie.
While pursuing further education and future career opportunities/employment, Eddie was committed to keeping his classmates connected long after graduation…leading all successfully planned reunions.
I’m proud to have known Eddie and to have had the privilege of his friendship.
In loving memory,
Mary Henneman
SMHS Cheerline 1966/67/68
My condolences to Coach Eddie’s immediate family, siblings and everyone who knew him. His reach and impact on others was vast. Coach will be sorely missed!
My sincerest condolences to Eddie’s siblings and Jayson Sandy and Alex and Adam. My sorrow is overshadowed by my infinite joy that he is reunited with his love Shari and he is free from pain.
My friendship with Eddie O began when I married Bill Mason in 1975. If I had to describe Eddie in one word it would be “SWEETHEART” . ( funny, kind, giving, generous, die hard democrat) Bill loved golfing with his best friend anytime they could! Eddie was a very good sport and somewhat gullible and a perfect target for the many practical jokes Bill played on him.
The world has lost another very good human. And heaven has gained a real gem!
People often use the word ‘friend’ when they really mean acquaintance. As you can tell from the comments, he was a true friend to so many. He had the qualities many of us aspire to: honesty, caring, humility, faith and so much more. He was positive influence on so many and he stayed positive even during tough times. I never heard him say a negative word about anyone. We attended Saint Mary’s High School together in what we considered a very special group of classmates. Eddie was one of the guiding lights that kept those memories alive by planning reunions and getting together with us when we could. I will always think of Eddie whenever I hear the Four Tops or the Temptations. RIP my friend.
I’ve known “O” since August of 1964, and had the honor of being his friend ever since. My father-in-law was a farmer and he had a saying,
You want to be the man walking down
the other side of the street and people
say, there goes a Good Man
Eddie was a Good Man, in fact, he just may be the best that St. Mary’s produced. We all are better people because of him and he was the glue that held our class together for all of these decades. We love you and we all know that you are in Heaven.
My condolences to the Obert family on Ed’s passing. Ed and Shari certainly went through the mill in the later years of their lives and through it all Ed always kept his positive attitude. I went through Grade School with Ed, car pooled with him in High School and was even room mates with him in college. One summer, I helped him coach a Little League base ball team. It was amazing to watch Ed, with his positive attitude, encourage and motivate the kids to be their best. Everyone I know liked Eddie Obert, he had that effect on people. Ed, I’ll miss rehashing and embellishing our old stories with you my friend. Rest In Peace Coach.
– David Busch