Murray Andre O'Brien

O'BRIEN, Murray Andre, Born June 15, 1924. Turned in his old wings for a new set on March 30, 2006. "Ray" O'Brien was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He enlisted in the United States Navy prior to Pearl Harbor in 1941. He served in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WWII, was a "plank owner" and served aboard the aircraft carrier USS Cowpens as an aircrewman on torpedo bombers and after being wounded, on Tinian Island. During that time, he earned seven battle stars and a Navy Unit Commendation. He remained in the Navy after the end of the war, but was eventually discharged with war-related disabilities as an Aviation Chief in 1948. Throughout the rest of his life, Ray retained his love for flying "down in the weeds" as an aerial tanker and smokejumper pilot for the US Forest Service, as a test and ferry pilot of military aircraft converted to forestry and agricultural applications, and as a certified aviation mechanic and flight instructor. He also flew experimental aircraft and cropdusters throughout the western U.S., Canada and Mexico. He was a founding member of the Las Vegas Hangar of Quiet Birdmen, and an active participant of the Tucson Hangar of that organization for many years. Ray spent time wrangling horses and sometimes dudes in Wyoming and Montana when not flying. He spent a while as a stuntman for the movies, on the rodeo circuit, was a Pima County Deputy Sheriff, and bought and sold livestock in southern Arizona. Ray was a singer of songs - most of them suitable for mixed company - and a teller of stories in the best Irish tradition. He was one of the last of a dying breed of those adventuresome souls whose like will not be seen again, but whose memory will be cherished by those who knew and loved him. He is survived by son, Kevin; his wife, Gretchen and her children, Erin Gilmore, Federico Jacome (Julie) and their children, Jacob and Leah. In lieu of flowers the family suggests remembrances to Casa de la Luz Hospice, or a favorite charity.