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Everett Joseph O'Brien was born on 14 October 1931 in Kansas. He was appointed to West Point from the Organized Reserve Corps and entered on 3 July 1951. Following Beast Barracks, he was in Company A 2 and later, was transferred to Company L 1. He resigned on 4 January 1954.
After he resigned from West Point, he transferred to Northwestern and enrolled in the AFROTC. He was selected to be the Wing Commander during his senior year. While at Northwestern he met his future wife, Doris. They have three children: Regina, Shawna (both girls), and Brandon as well as two grandchildren by Brandon.
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It is my sad duty to report that our ex classmate EJ O'Brien died last night, Jan 17, in California. He is survived by his wife Doris. EJ had been fighting cancer for some time and seemed to be holding his own. Tom Phillips has volunteered to represent the Class and will keep us informed of EJ's upcoming services.
With sadness...
~jackC
Jack Campbell
18 JAN 2011
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The memorial service for Everett Joe O'Brien, known to all of us as EJ O'Brien, will be held this coming Saturday 29 January 2011 at The Endless Summer Cafe in Santa Barbara, Ca.
EJ passed away on 17 January after fighting a valiant battle against cancer. While weak, he kept his spirits and mind up until the end.
EJ was appointed to West Point from the Army and, after leaving West POint, transferred to Northwestern and received a degree and a commission in the Air Force. EJ worked in the computer industry and was active in the civic and political life of Orange County. He was also awarded Scouting's highest honor, the Silver Beaver award.
EJ is survived by his wife of 55 years, Doris, three children (daughters Regina Wronske and Shauna O'Brien, and son Brandon), and two grandchildren (BArrett and Taylor O.Brien).
Doris's address is as follows:
201 Galaxy Way
Lompoc, Ca. 93436
805-733-4697
witsendob@verizon.net
Doris requests no flowers. Contributions can be made to Boy Scouts of America or prostate cancer research.
Tom Phillips will represent the class at the memorial and report to the class.
~jackC
Jack Campbell
25 JAN 2011
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Everett 'E.J.' O'Brien
E.J. O'Brien, 79, of Vandenberg Village, died on January 17 after a valiant battle against cancer. He was raised in Oklahoma and educated at West Point and Northwestern University, where he met his wife of 55 years, Doris Schaffer O'Brien.
After serving in the Army and Air Force, Mr. O'Brien became a pioneer in the fledgling computer industry, marketing innovative technology systems to business and education. Before retiring to the Central Coast, E.J. was active in the civic and political life of Orange County, serving as a Newport Beach Planning Commissioner and a board member of the Back Bay Water District.
For his lifetime work and devotion to the Boy Scouts of America, E.J. was awarded Scouting's highest honor, the Silver Beaver. He was also an AYSO soccer coach, private pilot, and skilled photographer. People always commented on his deep, distinctive 'announcer's voice.' EJ began RV-ing with his family in the early 70's, rebuilding vintage motorhomes and ultimately traveling over 350,000 miles across the United States, Canada and Mexico. He and his wife also journeyed on their own to many countries around the world. Above all, he was an avid angler, who never tired of fishing the waters of Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Sierras, and the Sea of Cortez.
EJ is survived by his wife, three children: Regina (Hardy) Wronske, Brandon (Marisa) and Shauna; two young grandsons, Barrett and Taylor O'Brien of Portland; his sister, Noma Russell, and husband, Boyce, of Albuquerque; his brother-in-law and wife, Howard and Teresita Schaffer of Washington, D.C., and many other extended family members.
A brunch in celebration of E.J.'s life will be held at the Endless Summer cafe in Santa Barbara on January 29, after which his ashes will be scattered at sea.
Published in Lompoc Record
January 25, 2011
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The memorial service for EJ O'Brien was held at the Endless Summer Cafe in Santa Barbara, Ca on Saturday 29 January 2011. About 40 invited guests and family members were in attendance to commemorate EJ's life.
His wife, Doris, his daughters Regina and Shauna, and his son in law, Hardy Wronske, all spoke lovingly of his life as a husband and father. Other guests followed with personal stories. Everyone remembered EJ as a loving father, proud grandfather, one eager to share his knowledge with others, a youth leader, accomplished businessman, and inveterate world traveler.
Harriet and I represented the class. Other USMA grads in attendance were Bud Gurney (54) and Don Rowland (57), both neighbors of EJ and Doris.
The family scattered his ashes on the ocean in a private ceremony later that afternoon.
'Well done, EJ. Be thou at peace'.
Grip hands
Tom Phillips
2 FEB 2011
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