James Richard O’Brien, born June 13, 1939, left this world gently with the support of his family on June 7, 2018. Raised in Lansing, MI in a family of five brothers, Jim excelled in athletics, receiving all city, league, and state honors in both football and basketball. He was a ruthless yet entertaining opponent in cards and a master bridge player—a crossword puzzle whiz; an avid golfer; and a fan horse racing, Tiger baseball, and Spartan basketball.
Jim was a Russian-language specialist and an early adopter of computer technologies in the US Air Force, after which he joined Honeywell, Inc. to teach computer programming to recent college graduates. A natural salesman, Jim rose quickly through the ranks at Honeywell. In 1976, he joined JSJ Corporation as head of sales at Carlon Meter Company.
In the 1980s he and his business partners, purchased Carlon, where he served as the company’s vice president until his retirement in 2002. Jim served on the boards of the Spring Lake District Library and the Friends of Ottawa County Parks. He was active in the Owashtanong Islands Audubon Society; Junior Achievement; and at St. Mary’s Catholic Church where he ushered, helped in the food pantry, and provided transportation for the elderly and disabled.
He was also a long-time member of the American Legion, Muskegon Irish American Society, and Spring Lake Country Club. Jim truly enjoyed people. He made friends easily and enjoyed lifelong friendships at his homes in Spring Lake, West Olive, and Sanibel Island, FL.
We’ll miss his exceptional wit, his love of family, and his kindness. He was, as he liked to say of others, “a good one”. He leaves behind a large and loving family, including his wife Jeanne McKenna O’Brien, who loved him well throughout more than 60 years together and cared for him tenderly always, and especially through his later years and passing.
He is also survived by children Kathleen (Mark Jones), Julie, Christopher (Anne Bryson), and Amy (Jeremy Lynch). Son-in-law Mark Helsen. Grandchildren Hadley O’Brien (Adam Mulling) and Lydia Fritz (Pat); Riley and Isaac Helsen; and Caroline, John, and Cavan O’Brien.
Great grandchildren Isla and Ronan O’Brien-Mulling. Brothers Patrick (Judy), Thomas (Chris), and Michael. And in-laws Ray and Patsy Lincolnhol, Henry and Karen Jallos, Brian and Donna McKenna, David and Kristine Poulson, and Kevin and Brenda McKenna, Anne O’Brien, as well as a large clan of nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews, who loved their uncle Jim.
Jim was predeceased by his parents Jack and Frances O’Brien and his brother Robert. The family invites you to an Irish wake and celebration of life to be held at Spring Lake Country Club on Thursday, June 14 5:30-7:30 p.m. A requiem mass will be held Friday, June 15 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Spring Lake, visitation with the family one hour before the service at the church. A funeral luncheon follows the service.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Friends of Ottawa County Parks. Interment will take place at St. Joseph Cemetery in Lansing at a later date.
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