James Richmond O'Brien

1921-2009

James Richmond O’Brien, 87, died in his sleep Saturday, January 3, 2009. He spent his last week surrounded by his wife, Joan, and his beloved family, who had gathered in Billings to say goodbye. “Big Jim,” as he liked to be called by his great-grandchildren, was an avid card and Scrabble player until the end and enjoyed a regular Friday night dinner and pinochle date with friends and family. He’ll be remembered for his sense of humor, his fondness for children, and his sweet tooth.

Jim was a star athlete in high school and was the starting center on the University of Iowa’s basketball team. He later played basketball for the Sheridan Exporters and baseball for the Billings Merchants. He was an excellent golfer and was golf champion of the McGregor (Iowa) Golf Course while in high school, and club champion of the Yellowstone Country Club in 1961. He was a life master at duplicate bridge, enjoyed fishing and hiking, and was a lifelong fan of the Chicago Cubs. He was president of the Pioneer Kiwanis Club from 1968-69.

Jim was born September 5, 1921, in McGregor, Iowa, to Richmond Thomas O’Brien and Kathleen Lucille Blanchard. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a younger brother, Robert. Jim met Joan Haiston on a blind date in 1942, when both were attending the University of Iowa. They were married in 1944 and would have celebrated their 65th anniversary on January 15. Jim graduated with a bachelor of science in civil engineering in 1943. He served in the Army as a training officer from 1943 through 1946, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. After the war, Jim and Joan settled in Billings, where Jim worked as a civil engineer and eventually started his own firm, Sage Engineers & Land Planners Inc., with Jack Mueller. In 1967, he started Midwest Fence Company, and later merged it with Grand Fence Company. He sold both businesses and retired in the early 1980s.

Besides his wife, he is survived by four children, Teresa McCombs and her husband, William, of Wichita, Kansas; John O’Brien and his wife, Peggy, of Billings; Barbara King and her husband, Corey, of Snohomish, Washington; and Kathleen Joan O’Brien of Portland, Oregon. He is also survived by nine grandchildren, Carolyn Hill, Janet McCombs, Julie Van Keuren, Jennifer Jasper, Christine Brittle, Renee Stark, Christopher King, Hilary Wittrock, and John Jacob Wittrock; and seven great-grandchildren.

Cremation has taken place.  Memorial Services will be held at 3:30 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2009 at Michelotti-Sawyers Mortuary.