EDWIN EARL O'BRIEN
June 11, 1925 to December 29, 2022
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Edwin's Obituary

Ed was born June 11, 1925 in Shawnee, Oklahoma to William Earl and Clara June O’Brien. Ed’s great grandfather, Maurice O’Brien II, participated in the Run into Unassigned Lands April 22, 1889. Maurice homesteaded 160 acres north of Edmond, Oklahoma. Grandfather of Ed and son of Maurice, Michael O’Brien, served as Sheriff of Oklahoma County from 1900-1904.

Ed’s family soon moved from Shawnee to 22^nd street in Oklahoma City, spending many years there with Uncle Leo O’Brien and Aunt Clara O’Brien Smith just around the corner. Delivering newspapers and collecting payments taught Ed a work ethic and sense of responsibility early on that stayed with him for life.

In 1943, at age 19, Ed entered the Army Air Corp, and flew 50 missions in Europe as a nose-gunner on a B-24.

Soon after returning home to Oklahoma from the war, Ed, with his ready smile and movie star looks, married Evelyn Marie Mitchell, his long time love. The early years of marriage were spent living in Norman while attending the University of Oklahoma. There they made life long friends with the Greaves and Martin families. Ed and Evelyn enjoyed 67 wonderful years together while raising a family of three children.

Ed’s career as a journalist ended in 1980 after two decades as the Public Information Officer at Tinker AFB. During his time at Tinker, Ed met with many dignitaries acting as a liaison for military leadership and the public. One of the most memorable events was meeting with Queen Elizabeth II’s sister Princess Margaret.

After retiring, Ed took up new activities though he continued to write, even authoring a published work, Time of Plenty. One of the new activities that Ed enjoyed was traveling with Evelyn in the Airstream travel trailer. A favorite destination was Puyallup, Washington to visit son David and wife Kathy. Later in life David arranged and chaperoned a very special trip to Washington, D.C. to participate in an Honor Flight for WWII Veterans.

Ed also enjoyed helping family and friends with electrical and plumbing problems. He enjoyed the intricacies of these systems, and putting his new knowledge to use; getting up before sunrise and going to work was something he truly enjoyed.

After Evelyn’s passing, Ed took several road trips with grandson Brandon. Brandon would get out of his traveling van, and off they would go. He also traveled with son Tim and wife Tina to visit daughter Kathy and his grandchildren and great grandchildren in Colorado.

In his last years, still very independent and clear-minded, he had an open door, a ready smile and informed, timely conversation for his many visitors. He was able to discuss world issues with depth and understanding, but mostly he loved to listen to his visitors share stories and experiences of their lives. His insight and guidance will be missed.

A private celebration of his life will be held at a later date.