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John A. O'Brien
Born: 8/14/1956
Died: 3/4/2023
Age: 66
Community: Davison, MI
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O’BRIEN, John A. – age 66, of Davison, MI, passed away in his sleep on Saturday, March 4, 2023. A Funeral Service will be held 2 PM Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home, 9136 Davison Road, Davison, MI 48423; Pastor David Norris officiating. Cremation will take place following the service. The family will receive visitors from 2-8 PM Friday, March 10, 2023 and 1-2 PM Saturday, March 11, 2023 at Allen Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a Scholarship Fund for Reece Johnson, in John’s memory.
John was born in Flint, MI on August 14, 1956, son of the late Paul and Joann (Shumaker) O’Brien. From the beginning he was given a mischievous grin and a look in his eye to match. He graduated from Kearsley High School in 1975. He went on to marry the love and light of his life, Catherine Klaus on December 3,1976. From there on he considered himself the luckiest man alive.
In the 1980s, Catherine gave birth to their 3 very active children (who got that from their dad), and again John could not believe his luck. Congruently in the 1980s, he started Eastern Michigan Woodworkers Club. He made and provided toys for tots for many decades. While the kids were in school John made time to attend every after-school activity the kids were in – from track and field to high school plays and musicals – and usually was the loudest one cheering.
After years of hard work, John graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree. John retired in 2008 with over 30 years of service to General motors as a machine repairman and remained an active UAW supporter. John used to say he loved his job at General Motors so much he couldn’t believe they paid him. Many people who worked with him said that his work reflected the love he had for his job; he was the go-to guy.
Following retirement, he was employed by U of M – Flint as a supervisor of the machine shop for the engineering students. John also started the First Robotics for Genesee Early College. John had a passion for teaching and said he felt like he could spend a lifetime giving away knowledge and not even scratch the surface of what he had learned in his life.
John had many hobbies. He loved racquetball (and collecting racquetball injuries), dominos and cards, playing guitar, scuba diving, fishing, woodworking, and using his 3D printer and other engineering technology. John was an open book and a man of his word. He never said anything that he didn’t believe or wouldn’t back up with action. John felt that strangers were just friends he hadn’t met yet, which is why he would routinely walk up to people to talk to them. Always seeking for a way to make other peoples’ lives better, John would provide information in passing, a helpful hand, or a good belly laugh.
Superbly proud of his children, he was given the miracle of 3 grandchildren who were also beneficiaries of his immense love, knowledge, all-encompassing bear hugs, amazing sense of humor, and “belly-eating.” He spent as much time as he could with them and would have preferred to spend even more time than humanly possible.
John loved life as much as he did the people in it. We loved him right back just as fiercely.
John is survived by his wife, Catherine O’Brien and their 3 children, Holly (Ken) Ross, Rebecca (Brian) Schabel, and Peter (Jacleen) O’Brien; grandchildren, Reece Johnson, Sirius Schabel, and Harper Ross; siblings, Paula (Dale) Rouse, Mary (Tom) Trent, Brad O’Brien, and Michelle (Ted) Ruhstorfer; close friend, Lucy Luckett; and many other loving family members and good friends.
Please share your thoughts with the family at www.allenfuneralhomeinc.com
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| Visitation |
| Date: |
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3/10/2023 |
| Time: |
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| 2-8 PM Friday and 1-2 PM Saturday |
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| Funeral Service |
| Date: |
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3/11/2023 |
| Time: |
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2:00 PM |
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| Location: |
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Allen Funeral Home
9136 Davison Rd
Davison, MI 48423Get a Map to this location...
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| Official: |
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Pastor David Norris |
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