James D. O'Brien passed away in Cedar Park, Texas on November 4, 2018. He was born on January 5, 1929 in Hartford, Connecticut to James Edward O’Brien and Mary Ellen McKenna. He was a proud U.S. Marine Veteran, a loving father, and kind friend to all who knew him.
He grew up in Hartford and graduated Hartford High School in 1946. He then joined the U.S. Marine Corps in August of 1946 and served until August of 1948, earning the active duty discharge rank of Corporal with occupational qualifications as a Rifle Marksman and an Amphibian Tractor Crewman.
After the Marine Corps, James attended Rider College (now Rider University) from 1948 to 1952. He then worked in the insurance industry for nearly 40 years with three different companies (Aetna, Home Insurance Company, and Crum and Forster Insurance). He met the love of his life, Patricia Donnelly, while working at Aetna in Hartford. They moved to Texas after getting married in 1958, living in Houston until 1963 before moving to San Antonio until 1967. In December 1967, they moved to Houston again where they raised three pretty darn good kids.
In 1986, James and Patricia moved back to San Antonio. James retired in 1991 and spent a lot of time taking care of Patricia and being there for his kids and grandkids, offering sage advice, and rooting his Spurs, Rockets and Astros to multiple titles.
2004 was both a blessed and difficult year for his family. His fourth grandchild Emily was born, but he lost two beloved family members: his son in law Keith Frost and his wife Patricia. James suffered a few strokes after Patricia passed but he continued living at their shared home until he was invited to live with Kelly and his family in the summer of 2016. His time spent in Round Rock was a blessing to us all as he was able to relax and not worry about everyday hassles anymore. He passed away on his terms, peacefully and surrounded by loved ones.
Surviving Relatives:
Katie Frost (daughter) San Antonio
Brandon Frost (grandson) San Antonio
Kevin O’Brien (son), Rose O’Brien (spouse) San Antonio
Caitlin O’Brien (granddaughter) Austin, TX
Kelly O’Brien (son), Suzanne O’Brien (spouse) Round Rock, TX
Hannah O’Brien (granddaughter) Leander, TX
Emily O’Brien (granddaughter) and
James P. O’Brien (grandson) Round Rock, TX.
The visitation will be 9 a.m., Friday, November 9, 2018 with a 10 a.m. Funeral Service to follow at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will follow at the Sunset Memorial Park with U.S. Marine honors.
In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the Arthritis Foundation in honor of James's wife, Patricia.
Arthritis National Research Foundation (https://curearthritis.org/donation). Pat O'Brien, suffered with it most of her life (Rheumatoid Arthritis), and Dad would much prefer donations going there than to flowers.
