Jeramiah Francis (Jerry) O'Brien |
| Posted 2009-06-14 by Judy Wight Branson |
| Jerry F. O'Brien Born in Clarkdale, Arizona on Aug. 2, 1925. Departed on Nov. 28, 2003 and resided in Clarkdale, Arizona. Jerry F. O'Brien, 78, of Clarkdale died November 28, 2003 peacefully at his home. He was born in Clarkdale on August 2, 1925. Mr. O'Brien was a World War II veteran of the US Navy, serving as a radioman in the South Pacific. Upon returning from WWII, he began his first career as a carpenter. In the 1950's, while recovering from injuries sustained as a carpenter, he used his GI Bill benefits to attend college, eventually receiving a Masters Degree in Education. In 1956,he was part of a carpentry crew that went to the future site of Page, Arizona to construct barracks for the work crews that were to build Glen Canyon Dam and the Town of Page. A new city needed a new school, and he went to work for the new school district as a principal and a teacher. There he met and married another teacher, Karen Whalen, and started a family. Mr. O'Brien,moved to Tuba City in in 1965, and taught there for twenty years, retiring in 1985. He lived in Tuba City until his wife's retirement in 1991, and then returned to the family home in Clarkdale, where he lived until last Friday. Mr. O'Brien was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Elks, and the Moose. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends, and being outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, camping or just hauling firewood. Mr. O'Brien leaves two sons, John, wife Sheila O'Brien of Flagstaff and Erin O'Brien of Reno, Nev.; two daughters, Sheila, husband Mike Sittinger of Chicago, Ill. and Kerry, husband Ronald George of Flagstaff; two sisters; Mary Ellen O'Brien and Nora O'Brien both of Phoenix; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, a sister, and his wife of 42 years, Karen O'Brien. A Recitation of the Rosary, followed by a Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, December 4 in the Immaculate Conception Church, 700 N. Bill Grey Road, Cottonwood at 11 a.m. Westcott Funeral Home is directing arrangements. Westcott Funeral Home, Cottonwood and Camp Verde, Arizona. |
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