Jim O'Brien, 84

Jim O'Brien, 84, of Whitefish, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2009, at Brendan House in Kalispell. He was born Oct. 4, 1924, in Chicago, to Patrick and Ida (Gundrum) O'Brien.

He grew up in the city of Chicago and graduated from Loyola Academy.

In Chicago, he met and eventually married his beloved wife, Pat, on June 3, 1953.

He was in the paint manufacturing business for many years, the last years with Valspar Paint as president of one of its divisions in Chicago.

After an early retirement, Jim and Pat moved with their son, Patrick, and daughter, Annie, to Vail, Colo., in 1981 where they owned and operated the Ace Hardware Store in West Vail. Jim and Pat enjoyed 10 years in the Vail Valley before moving back to Illinois.

In September 1997, Jim and his beloved wife Pat (Quitman) followed daughter, Annie, and her husband, Tom Britz, to rural Whitefish, where they enjoyed an idyllic life on their ranch and being so cared for by those they loved.

A true fan of the boxer dog breed, Jim owned at least one boxer for the past 55 years. Jim was a fan of model airplanes, both building and flying them. He belonged to a model-airplane flying club in suburban Chicago.

Jim always loved fast cars and was meticulous in his care of his large automobiles. He was known to occasionally drag race against willing highway patrolmen in Illinois, Colorado and Montana … and win.

A devout Catholic, one of Jim's great comforts in life was to attend a daily devotion of blessed sacrament while living in Illinois.

Jim will be greatly missed and fondly remembered.

Jim was preceded in death by his son, Patrick Louis O'Brien, in 2004.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Patricia O'Brien, and daughter, Annie Britz, and son-in-law, Tom, all of Whitefish; grandchildren, Ashley Roux of Dixon, Ill., Cooper and Keaton O'Brien of Peotone, Ill., Olivia Britz of Portland, and Amanda Britz of New Castle, Colo.; and numerous precious nieces and nephews.

A memorial service for Jim will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 4, at St. Richard's Catholic Church in Columbia Falls, with Father John Miller officiating.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for Jim's family. You are invited to go to www.jgfuneralhome.com to offer condolences and sign Jim's guest book.