Tomas M. Lara, age 89, of Council Bluffs, passed away April 11, 2017, at the Josie Harper House in Omaha.

He was born in Council Bluffs, on November 12, 1927, to the late Eulalio and Luz (Torrez) Lara.  Tomas graduated from Abraham Lincoln High School. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy. When he returned from service he attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Tomas retired from the Council Bluffs School System where he taught at Abraham Lincoln High School for 36 years. He coached wrestling and was also active in the Spanish clubs. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Leo, Ray, Rudy and an infant brother, Johnny; sister, Pauline Johnson.

Tomas is survived by his son, Justin Lara; daughters and sons-in-law, Jill and Larry Sanders, Alisa and Jay Heermann; granddaughters, Haley Sanders and Jovie Heermann; sisters, Connie Foster, Dona McMillan, Elvira Beaman, Dolores Robinson, Carmen Cox, Emily Jacobsen (Larry); brothers, Paul Lara, Carlos Lara (Anne), Al Lara; nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of other family and friends.

Visitation is 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Friday, at the Hoy-Kilnoski Funeral Home. Funeral service is 10 a.m., on Saturday, at the funeral home. Interment is in St. Joseph Cemetery. The family will direct memorials.