John C O'Brien

Dr. John C. O'Brien, Jr., 81, passed away on May 6, 2024, at his home surrounded by his family. He leaves behind a legacy of excellence, love, faith, charity, and devotion.



Born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1943, John was the third child and eldest son of John and Esther O'Brien. When he was young, the family moved from Ohio to Florida where he spent his formative years in St. Petersburg.



John graduated as Valedictorian and multi-sport letterman from Bishop Barry High School in St. Petersburg. John continued his education at the University of Dayton before transferring to the University of Texas at Austin where he received his undergraduate degree. He went on to study medicine at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, receiving his MD in 1969.



While in medical school, John met the love of his life, Sarah Ann Roye. They married in Oklahoma City and spent almost 60 years devoted to each other. He loved Sarah deeply, finding shared passions for learning, intelligence, humor, and family. They spent many years traveling far and wide, including many states in the US, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Australia, Tahiti, Brazil, and more.



Together, John and Sarah, raised three children - Jennifer, John, and Todd - and shared their wonderful example of what a loving relationship is supposed to be. Their marriage was truly an inspiration to all who knew them, a living demonstration of how two people can live real love in this world.



After finishing his internship and residency at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, John completed a Fellowship at the M.D. Anderson Hospital and Tumor Institute in Houston, becoming a surgical oncologist specializing in head and neck.



Dr. O'Brien was Board Certified by the American Board of Surgery and a member of numerous medical societies including: the American College of Surgeons (past president, North Texas Chapter 2013; FACS); the Texas Surgical Society (past president); the American Cancer Society (Board of Directors 1976-1995, Chairman 1983-84); the Society of Head and Neck Surgeons (Executive Council 1994-2000); the Southern Surgical Association; Baylor University Medical Center (various committees and positions); and the Dallas City-Wide Head & Neck Society (Co-founder and Chairman).



In John's more than 40 years as a surgeon, he treated thousands of patients, becoming known as one of the best surgeons around for his technical skill and depth of knowledge. Dr. O'Brien also trained hundreds of residents, rising surgeons who have ensured that his legacy of life-saving work will continue far into the future. Beyond hands-on training, he helped teach other surgeons in the course of many lectures to professional conferences in Canada, England, Brazil, Ireland, Austria, and Australia. John retired from full-time practice in 2012.



In his private life, John was a true Renaissance man, celebrating art, music, poetry, surgery, sports, fishing, hunting. He never stopped learning and was always interested in discovering new things. He loved reading history, enjoying fine wine, single malt scotch, good cigars, and barbecue, listening to old blues music, running and swimming, studying Spanish and Gaelic, supporting his beloved Texas Longhorns, playing the banjo, traveling, and spending time with his family. He could recite many famous poems by heart including "The Raven," many Shakespearean quotes, and his favorite: "O Captain! My Captain!"



John was a man of uncompromising integrity. A humble man who did not seek recognition but always strove to do what is right, he was the epitome of Jesus' lesson to turn the other cheek and of Stoic acceptance. He was dedicated to his faith, his family, to doing things the right way the first time, to honesty and loyalty, to generosity and compassion.

John was a strong believer in charity and gave to many worthy organizations including Cistercian Preparatory School (Irving, TX), Bishop Lynch High School (Dallas, TX), St. Petersburg High School (fka Bishop Barry High School, St. Petersburg, FL), the University of St. Louis Medical School, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and the North Texas Food Bank.



John is survived by his wife, Sarah; his children and grandchildren, Jennifer Kennedy (Sean Jr., Katelynd), John III and Gina O'Brien (Eleanor, Julia, Adam, Patrick), and Todd and Vicki O'Brien (Matthew, Michael); and his siblings Patte Freehan, Rita and Rick Rewiski, Tim and Diane O'Brien, Dan and Karen O'Brien, and Fr. Michael O'Brien. John was predeceased by his parents, John and Esther, his sister Josephine, his son-in-law Sean Kennedy Sr., and his grandson John C. "Jack" O'Brien IV.



John will be laid to rest beside his grandson at Restland Funeral Home. A devout Catholic whose faith was fundamental to how he lived his life, a rosary will be said in his honor at Restland on Thursday, May 16, from 6:00-8:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be held in his honor at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas on Friday, May 17 at 11:00 AM.

In his memory, please be kind to someone today and let that be one more small part of John's legacy.