Jerry F. O'Brien

Jerry F. O\u0027Brien, 78, of Clarkdale died November 28 peacefully at his home. He was born in Clarkdale on August 2, 1925. Mr. O\u0027Brien was a World War II veteran of the US Navy, serving as a radioman in the South Pacific. Upon returning from WWII, he began his first career as a carpenter. In the 1950\u0027s, while recovering from injuries sustained as a carpenter, he used his GI Bill benefits to attend college, eventually receiving a Masters Degree in Education. In 1956,he was part of a carpentry crew that went to the future site of Page, Arizona to construct barracks for the work crews that were to build Glen Canyon Dam and the Town of Page. A new city needed a new school, and he went to work for the new school district as a principal and a teacher. There he met and married another teacher, Karen Whalen, and started a family. Mr. O\u0027Brien,moved to Tuba City in in 1965, and taught there for twenty years, retiring in 1985. He lived in Tuba City until his wife\u0027s retirement in 1991, and then returned to the family home in Clarkdale, where he lived until last Friday. Mr. O\u0027Brien was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Elks, and the Moose. He enjoyed the company of his family and friends, and being outdoors, whether hunting, fishing, camping or just hauling firewood. Mr. O\u0027Brien leaves two sons, John (and his wife Sheila) O\u0027Brien of Flagstaff and Erin O\u0027Brien of Reno; two daughters, Sheila (and her husband Mike) Sittinger of Chicago and Kerry (and husband Ronald)George of Flagstaff; two sisters; Mary Ellen O\u0027Brien and Nora O\u0027Brien both of Phoenix; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two brothers, a sister, and his wife of 42 years, Karen O\u0027Brien. A Recitation of the Rosary, followed by a Memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, December 4 in the Immaculate Conception Church, 700 N. Bill Grey Road, Cottonwood at 11 AM. Westcott Funeral Home is directing arrangements.