Michael James O'Brien Jr.

Michael James O’Brien Jr., age 55, of Jacksonville Florida passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday, January 20, 2025. Michael was born in Sarasota, Fl on March 26, 1969. He was a devoted Son, Husband, Father, Papa, Brother, uncle and Great uncle.

Michael Graduated from Ed White High School in 1988 before he started his career in the military. Michael Served in the United States Air force for 32 ½ years as a Loadmaster on a C-17 Globemaster III. He served in the Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve. Michael had a flying time of 8,814 hours, 1,940 combat hours on 438 combat sorties. 1,022 combat support hours on 177 combat support sorties. Major operations including Joint Endeavor, Joint Guard (The Balkan’s), Joint Forge, Enduring Freedom, Nobel Eagle, Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Freedom’s Sentinel, Inherent Resolve and Unified Assistance.

Michael had a love for Nascar, Baseball (Florida Gators and Atlanta Braves), football, playing drums (with funny facial expressions of course), tv shows such as Mash, Hogans Heros, and Andy Griffith. He also loved Mexican Street corn and most importantly, serving his country and the Lord.

Michael is survived by the love of his life Ginger O’Brien , Married on October 11, 1997. They were 27 years married, 31 together. Michael is also survived by his first son, Wesley O’Brien and his daughter-in-law Ashley O’Brien along with his granddaughter, Addilynn O’Brien, His second son, Jacob O’Brien, His daughter Madison O’Brien, His Mother, Rebecca Burney, and two brothers, Steven O’Brien and Jonathan O’Brien. He is preceded in death by Wesley Wilkerson (Grandfather), Libby Hollingsworth (Grandmother), Ronald Burney (Father), and Ronald Burney Jr. (Brother).

A special thank you goes to the amazing staff at MD Anderson Cancer Center and Community Hospice & Palliative Care for providing care and support during this difficult journey.

The family asks that anyone who attends the services to please wear dark blue clothing.

A visitation for Michael will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Hardage-Giddens, Riverside Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A funeral service will occur Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 12:00 PM, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A committal service will occur Thursday, January 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM at Jacksonville National Cemetery, 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.