Edward "Skip" L. O'Brien Jr.

Edward “Skip” O’Brien Jr., 71, of Bettendorf, died on February 15, 2026, at his home, surrounded by family. Per his wishes, cremation rites will be accorded. There will be a private family service on the Rock Island Arsenal, where he will be laid to rest in the National Cemetery.

Skip was born on December 21, 1954, in San Diego, CA, to parents Edward and Ina-Mae (Musgrave) O’Brien. He got his Associate’s Degree in Electronic Engineering from Scott Community College in 1984. He enlisted in the Navy later that year, where he spent 4 years enjoying traveling the world. In 1975 he met his wife, Terry (Payne) Bales. They married December 22, 1984 in Davenport, IA.

Skip went on to work in the Communications field, doing contract work for the Rock Island Arsenal. Outside of work Skip was an avid outdoorsman, going on trips as far as Alaska to hunt and fish. He also loved his Harley, going on many road trips, among them Sturgis and Daytona Bike Week.

Skip is survived by his wife, Terry O’Brien of Bettendorf; his sons, Ryan (Teresa) Bales of Le Claire, IA, and Eric O’Brien of Raeford, NC; siblings Debra Greer of Fort Jones, CA, Nancy Pugh-Puvogel of Anchorage, AK, Teresa Varner of Keizer, OR, Bruce O’Brien of San Luis Obispo, CA, and Kristen Drake of Klamath Falls, OR; grandchildren Korey Brookhart, Kaitlyn (Preston) Drury, Hunter Bales, Rylee Bales, Dawson Bales, Cassidie O’Brien, Haley O’Brien, and Amber Hadbavny; great-grandchildren, Molly Jones and Brooks Drury; many nieces and nephews; and “bonus brothers” Frank Ratzlaff and Scott Heston.

He is preceded by his parents, Edward and Ina-Mae O’Brien, brother, Kevin “Butch” O’Brien, and brother-in-law, Steven Varner.