John L. (Jack) O'Brien, a lifelong Tulsan, was born October 10, 1929, the second of three sons of the late Judge Gerald Francis O'Brien and Julia Linehan O'Brien.
Jack attended Marquette elementary school and graduated from Central High School in 1947. While attending the University of Tulsa, where he received a degree in journalism, Jack worked part-time as a photographer and reporter for the Tulsa Tribune. His continuing education was interrupted in 1951 when he left to serve two years in the U.S. Army as a medic with the 24th Division during the Korean War. Later, he earned a graduate degree in banking and finance from Southern Methodist University in Dallas.
He started what he termed his "first fulltime job" in 1957 as manager of the Business Research Department of the Metropolitan Tulsa Chamber of Commerce. He would soon move to Oklahoma City to serve as state executive director of the Oklahoma Savings and Loan League, but returned to Tulsa in 1961 to become vice president of lending for Home Federal Savings.
In 1968 he successfully sought election to the five-member Tulsa City Commission, forerunner of the current City Council, as Finance Commissioner. In his re-election bid in 1970 he led the ticket, winning all but four precincts in the City of Tulsa.
He resigned his City Commission post in 1971 to take part in the organization of the American Bank of Tulsa, which he would serve for the next ten years as its chairman and CEO. He took pride in the fact that when the bank was sold in 1981 it was the most profitable of all Tulsa banks, and was designated that year by the American Bankers Association as one of the top ten percent of the nation's best-managed banks.
After leaving American Bank, Jack assumed management, in 1982, of Tulsa's Guaranty National Bank. In 1984 he and the owners of Guaranty, joined by a group of former directors of American Bank, organized and chartered the Southern National Bank. For the next four years he served as Chairman and CEO of both Guaranty National and Southern National, but resigned his position at Guaranty in 1988 to devote his full time to the management of Southern Bank. During his tenure at Southern it became one of Tulsa's fastest growing and most profitable banks.
Soon after the two banks were acquired in 1993 by Fourth Financial Corporation of Wichita, KS, Jack retired, but accepted a director's position at the First National Bank of Broken Arrow which he held until his death.
Jack was active in many personal and civic activities. He was one of the eight original trustees of the Tulsa Industrial Authority, and was a director of the Metropolitan Tulsa Transit Authority. He was also a trustee of Gilcrease Museum and a director of the Tulsa Junior College, and served two terms as chairman of the Tulsa Fairgrounds Trust Authority.
Jack was designated a Distinguished Alumnus of the University of Tulsa in1972. As a director of the Port of Catoosa he was named an Honorary Harbor Master. He also served on the boards of directors of Natureworks, Inc., Tulsa Executive Service Corps, the Tulsa Economic Development Corporation, and as one of three At Large Members of the Local Development Act Review Committee.
Following his retirement he drove a regular Meals on Wheels route for 11 years and subsequently served as a driver-on-call. He served for several years, until his death, as a Trustee of the Tulsa County Juvenile Trust Authority.
Jack found great enjoyment in outdoor activities. Snow-skiing was one of his favorites, and he was for many years a member of the Tulsa Ski Club. He was also an avid back-packer and white water rafter. He was drawn to the mountains of Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming for the camping and the trout and other game fish inhabiting their streams, rivers and lakes.
He was a member of the Master Gardeners Association, and of Southern Hills Country Club.
Jack was preceded in death by his father and mother, a daughter, Erin Elizabeth, and a brother, Gerald F. O'Brien, Jr.
He is survived by his beloved wife Mary M. O'Brien; a daughter, Laurie O. Sando and her husband Joseph; a son, William B. O'Brien, M.D.; stepchildren Jason Turner and wife Marcia, Darren Turner and his wife, Shannon, and Rhonda Jarnagin and husband Eddie; a brother, William M. O'Brien and wife Janette; and a sister-in-law, Rosalee; and eleven grandchildren.
Jack O'Brien enjoyed life. Memorial service 10:00am Friday, February 5, 2010 at Asbury United Methodist Church Mason Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mental Health Association of Tulsa, 1870 S. Boulder, Tulsa, OK 74119, 918-585-1213. Fitzgerald Southwood Colonial Chapel, 918-291-3500. www.southwoodcolonialchapel.com