James Charles O'Brien

An unlikely outcome for a boy from Shreveport, LA where he was born and raised, until he came to LSU and met sportsmen like Fred Parnell, Joe Lipsey, and Bob Scarce. He was so enamored with south Louisiana’s camaraderie in the world of hunting and fishing that he made Baton Rouge his new home. Quickly he became an avid LSU fan, and became more passionate as the years passed.

Jim was joined at LSU by his high school sweetheart, Ann Lea. They later married and were blessed with six children. In the 50’s, Jim worked for Fred Parnell while attending LSU and later opened his own sporting goods store… OUTDOORS, INC. Times were changing all over the world and discount houses were opening, resulting in the closure of smaller businesses. Only the strong survived. After Jim closed OUTDOORS, INC. he became a stock broker for Howard Weil. But his heart remained in the woods and everything relative to that world. Consequently, he resigned and went hunting.

In 1971, Jim became engaged to Marilyn Marshall Beall, who promptly said “GET A JOB!” So Jim approached one of his idols, Joe Lipsey, who owned the greatest sporting goods store on earth. Jim was hired and worked in the gun department…thus he never considered it work because handling guns was nothing but pleasure. Every man, of a certain age, remembers walking through the doors of Steinberg’s, with its old wooden floors and full size polar bear. In this huge magnificent store, full of the very best sporting goods imaginable, Jim flourished. Richard Lipsey took over the helm, after his father’s death and presided over what every man would call…HEAVEN. At Steinberg’s, Jim became friends with the Svendson boys, Jeffrey, Martin, and Lawrence, with whom he has remained friends to this day. What treasures, these pals are. In 1973, Jim married his other obsession, Marilyn and they celebrated their 47th anniversary on June 23, 2020. On the day we were wed, Richard and Susan Lipsey gave us a gift that remains on our mantle… a portrait of two young people that have grown old together.

The outdoors, sporting goods, and love of the wilderness remained in Jim’s heart till he died. As he sat in his chair, reduced to adventures played out on the television, he watched men sharpen knives, men living in the wilds of Alaska, suffering the cold and wind just to see an elk.

It is said… YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF THE BONE WHAT IS IN THE MARROW.

Jim was at heart, a wilderness man, meant to live in the mountains. He was a man’s man who loved nothing more than hovering around a fire after a deer hunt. He became an IFR rated pilot, ran a hunting business in Alabama for many years, worked for American Sportsman, flying clients to Mexico to hunt doves. He did anything and everything that enabled him to hunt with like-minded men…real hunters.

In 2002, Jim met Roy Delves, from Wales, with whom he became famous pals. These two fellas enjoyed everything together… from red wine to flirting with waitresses, just to tease us wives, Ruby and me. We sailed on cruise ships, toured Ireland, watched the leaves change colors in Vermont. But, it was Roy’s constant communication that kept BIG JIM feeling like “ONE OF THE LADS”. Thank you, Roy Boy.

During these last few years, Jim would drift off into his own world. I often asked, “Where are you right now, Jim?” he quietly answered, “IN THE WOODS”. God bless my very own Jeremiah Johnson.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, James and Nora O’Brien; son, Chris; grandson, Joseph; brother, Bob; and sister, Lindy.

He is survived by his six children, Shawn, Chuck, and Kevin O’Brien, Erin, and husband Shawn Colclough, and Cary O’Brien and wife Kelly. Jim was a loving father to his six children and my three, who love him dearly… Marshall and wife Candece, Todd, and Heidi Beall. Bear has 14 grandchildren, Brennan and wife Murphy, Patrick, Henry, Charlie Ann, Madison, Brendan, Gregory, Rheagan, Madelaine, Olivia, Vanessa and husband Patrick, Katelyn, and Samuel… plus one gorgeous great-granddaughter, Kassi, better known to us as “SEVEN”. 30 years ago, a little boy was born who we took into the fold as our own grandson, Alex Black. Jim’s last surviving sibling is Mrs. Miki Stagg; and his only sister-in-law, Sharon Marshall, our maid of honor and my ‘rock’.

And then there’s me… Marilyn Marshall O’Brien, Jim’s sidekick for 50 years, whom he adored. How is one to survive the loss of being so loved? We’ll see…

Family and friends are invited to Greenoaks Funeral Home, on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 for visitation from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm. A commemorative service of Jim’s life will begin at 6:00 pm. A private burial will be held in Greenoaks Memorial Park on Wednesday.