Paul Henry O'Brien

Paul Henry O’Brien was born December 21, 1929 at home in Tulsa to Frank and Mary Groner O’Brien. He died March 7, 2011. Henry graduated in 1949 from Marquette High School. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and served in the Strategic Air Command on B-50 Bombers during the Korean Conflict. He saw duty in England and served at the rank of Staff Sergeant. On June 21, 1952 he married his high school sweetheart Marian Murphy. Married life and the Air Force took them to Savannah, Georgia, where their first child, Susan, was born in 1953. The young family moved back to Tulsa later that same year. Over the course of the next nine years, they were blessed with three more children. Henry was actively involved in his children’s lives from baseball coach to scout leader. He and Marian have been active in various ministries at The Church of The Madelene since the early 1950’s. He also provided countless hours in service to Meals on Wheels and St. Elizabeth’s Lodge. When it came to hobbies, Henry had many. He was an avid golfer, built and flew radio-controlled airplanes, enjoyed working in the yard, and especially loved spending time with his family. During his years of employment with W.L. Walker Company in Tulsa, Oklahoma, he and his wife were able to travel to 49 of the 50 United States as well as Canada. Henry retired from W.L. Walker Company in 1996 where he was the Vice President and General Manager. To all who knew him, his sense of humor will be greatly missed. Henry is survived by his wife Marian and their four children; daughter Dr. Susan O’Brien and her husband Doyle Sanders, son Kevin O'Brien and his wife Colette of Colorado, son Steven O'Brien and his wife Patty of Yukon, Oklahoma, and daughter Marian “Mimi” Smock and her husband David; grandchildren Andrea Novel, Breck Anderson, Megan Sanders, Paul Sanders, Conor O'Brien and Sarah O’Brien, his brother Wayne O'Brien and his wife Rose, his sister Katie Roberts, his brother Frank O'Brien and his wife Doris, his brother Gene “Unk” O'Brien and his wife Shirley, his sister Ethel Powell and her husband Frank, and many nieces, nephews and great grandchildren. Henry was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Rosemary Hayes, and his brother Fr. Forrest L. “Babe” O’Brien. A Rosary will be held on Thursday evening, March 10, at 7:00 pm and Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am on Friday, March 11, 2011 both at The Church of The Madalene. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Social Concerns Committee at The Church of The Madalene, 3188 E. 22nd St. S., Tulsa, OK 74114-1822, or to the Midtown Meals on Wheels, mailed c/o Christ the King Catholic Church, 1520 S. Rockford Dr., Tulsa, OK 74120-6414. Fitzgerald Ivy Chapel(918)585-1151.

Paul Henry O'Brien

December 21, 1929 - March 7, 2011