Dr. Keith M. O'Brien
July 30, 1929 - Sept. 1, 2016
Salt Lake City, UT-Dr. Keith M. O'Brien, age 87, passed away due to complications of Alzheimer's disease on September 1, 2016, at home and accompanied by his daughters. Keith was born on July 30, 1929 to Fredrick Thomas O'Brien and Osra Richins O'Brien at Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, were he was baptized. Keith attended Hawthorne Elementary School, Lincoln Jr. High School, and graduated from South High School in 1945, at the age of 16.
Keith was an industrious and hard working young man from an early age, mowing lawns without pay for neighbors and friends. In addition, Keith had a paper route, loaded bricks at a brick yard, served as an usher at the local movie theater and worked at the old Salt Palace on the Great Salt Lake.
On September 7, 1948 he married his beloved, Mari-Lynn Deveau Graham, and they were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Sherrie Lynn, 3 years later. Sadly, Mari-Lynn died on July 31, 1954.
Keith was a voracious reader with a tremendous thirst for knowledge, and this led him to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Utah, where he graduated in 1952. Keith subsequently earned a Doctorate in Dental Science at the University of Pacific Dental School in San Francisco in 1958.
Upon graduating Dental School Dr. O'Brien entered the US Air Force and was stationed at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California. It was here that he met and married his second wife Lucretia Lillian Morgan, and they were blessed with his second daughter, Tanya. The family moved to San Jose where Dr. O'Brien started a dental practice with fellow dental school classmates.
Dr. O'Brien was a member of the LDS Church in good standing and enjoyed many hobbies. He was an avid photographer and traveler, and he particularly enjoyed family trips to the national parks and Disneyland. His love of music was reflected in his large eclectic music collection, as well as the countless performances he attended with his family. He was also interested in investments and attended many seminars and conferences. In addition to his dental practice, Dr. O'Brien owned Kentucky Fried Chicken franchises in Modesto and Santa Rosa, California.
Keith is survived by his daughter Sherrie Lynn O'Brien, daughter Tanya Guidi, son-in-law Tony Guidi and three grandchildren Nicholas, Amanda and Samantha Guidi. He is preceded by his first wife Mari-Lynn, parents Fredrick and Osra and four siblings Marvin, Leah, Ralph and Beverly.
In lieu of flowers we suggest a donation to the Alzheimer's Foundation of America alzfdn.org, the Huntsman Cancer Institute donate.huntsmancancer.org or another charity of your choice.

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Published by The Salt Lake Tribune on Sep. 4, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
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September 4, 2016

I am so grateful for all of the great memories I have of going on trips with Uncle Keith. We went to his home in California a few times and enjoyed day trips with him there and always had good times at the cabin in Lake Tahoe. He always knew the fun places to go and where the good food could be had. We have heard so many stories of the old days from Uncle and my dad Ralph. Many times we would be laughing so hard that tears formed in our eyes. He was always kind and thoughtful to his nieces and nephews and you could ask him for anything and he would do his best for you. I will miss his quiet demeanor of the last few years. He didn't say a lot but you could see him listening intently to what was being said. I am so glad that Families are forever and that we will be with all of our family again. Love you Uncle. See you when it's my turn to join you all again. Love, Kate (O'Brien)

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