Dr. Paul Ray O'Brien

Paul O’Brien, 88 years old, passed away peacefully at Baylor Scott White Hospital in Grapevine, Texas on November 2, 2025. He was born in Sherman, Illinois on January 9, 1937. Paul Graduated from St. Theresa High School in Decatur, IL, class of 1954. Paul married his high school sweetheart, Pat (who he fondly called Patty), June 9th 1956. Paul graduated Milikin University in 1959, went on to earn his master’s at the University of Chicago and then 2 PhD’s from Illinois Institute of Technology. Dr. Paul O’Brien was the founder of Paul R. O’Brien CPA & Associates. While running a successful CPA firm Dr. O’Brien was also a professor teaching at various universities including Northwestern University, University of Illinois Chicago, Depaul University and Governor’s State University. While teaching at University of Illinois Chicago, he received the Silver Circle Award being named teacher of the year by student voting. An in-house consultant for Wide Fortex Data, Paul traveled the nation speaking at numerous seminars. He authored several published articles as well as a study guide text for West Publishing Co. Dr. O’Brien was active in his community and accounting industry. He was a member of Illinois Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Illinois CPA Society, American Accounting Association, Financial Executives Board of Directors, National Association of Accountants-Board of Directors, and American Society of Management Consultants.

Paul was an avid racquetball player and named state champion for Illinois. When not playing racquetball Paul loved to go antiquing and flea market shopping with Patty. One of their favorite hobbies was to purchase HUD homes, refurbish, then sell to young couples. He and Patty opened their first side business as real estate brokers called Fair Oaks Realty.

Paul was very active in his children’s lives as a baseball coach for his boys, Tim and Dan. He would take his daughter, Catherine, to horse riding lessons, and his youngest, Lisa, to dance lessons and serving as her softball coach.

Dr. O’Brien is survived by his wife Patricia O’Brien of Southlake, TX; four children, Timothy Ray (Lori) O’Brien of Frisco, Catherine Marie O’Brien of Flower Mound, TX, Daniel John (Patricia) O’Brien of Woodlands, TX, and Lisa Ann (Dean) Niewolny of Colleyville, TX; eight grandchildren, Michael Timothy ( Shelly ) O’Brien, Michael Paul O’Brien, Kennedy Ann (Turner) Vesely, Caden O’Brien Niewolny, Zachary Paul O’Brien, Lisa Ashley O’Brien, Daniel Patrick O’Brien, Colton Daniel O’Brien; 3 great grandchildren, Grace O’Brien, Cilian O’Brien, Maeve O’Brien; and one brother Michael ( Nancy ) O’Brien of Palm Court, FL.

Services for Dr. O'Brien will be held on Saturday, November 15th. A visitation will take place from 9 to 10 a.m. at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home 5725 Colleyville Blvd. Colleyville, TX 76034. Following the visitation, there will be a memorial mass at 11 a.m. taking place at Good Shepherd Catholic Church 1000 Tinker Road Colleyville, TX 76034. Friends are then invited after service to lunch at Saltgrass Steak House in Bedford.

To leave an online condolence to the family, please visit our website at BluebonnetHills.com