James Joseph O'Brien Jr.
James Joseph O'Brien Jr.
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James O'Brien Jr. Obituary
James Joseph O'Brien, Jr., 91, of Swartz Creek, passed away on January 18, 2026 at Springvale Assisted Living in Swartz Creek.
Born April 29, 1934, in Lindsay, CA he was the son of James and Reve (Brolyer) O'Brien, Sr. He graduated from North Branch High School Class of "53. Upon graduation he joined the US Army and was a Tank Commander with the 826th Tank Batallion stationed in Germany during the post WWII occupation there. On September 7, 1957 he married Wilma Burgess and together they raised four children and spent a wonderful 50 years together until her passing in 2007. James worked as a Stock Associate for General Motors for 49 years retiring in 2000. James was an active member of the Swartz Creek Community Church. His passion was playing golf and his proudest moment was hitting a hole in one in 2013, two weeks after turning 79 years old, he enjoyed watching sports especially football, in earlier years he enjoyed square dancing and was past- president of the Swartz Creek Community Squares and in later years he participated in many activities and events thru the Swartz Creek Senior Center.
James is survived by three daughters, Terry Frank and husband Rob of Roswell, GA, Sandy Hughes of Fort Mill, SC and Sheri Feller of Fort Mill, SC, four grandchildren, Shelby, Rachel, James and Levi; and beloved friend Sandy Raffaelli.
He was preceded in death by father, James Joseph O'Brien, Sr., mother, Reve O'Brien, wife, Wilma Joyce O'Brien and his son, James Joseph O'Brien, III, and son-in-law Patrick Hughes.
Visitation will be held Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 3:00-7:00pm at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, 8138 Miller Road, Swartz Creek & Friday, January 23, 2026, from 12:00pm until time of the service at Swartz Creek Community Church, 7400 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 1:00pm at Swartz Creek Community Church, 7400 Miller Road, Swartz Creek, MI 48473, with Pastor Dan Bowman, officiating.
Cremation will take place following the service and entombment will take place at Great Lakes National Cemetery.
In honor of James, memorial contributions may be made to the Swartz Creek Community Church . Online condolences can be given at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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