John Edward “Jack” O’Brien was born on February 3, 1940. He was one of seven children born to Altamae and Francis Joseph O’Brien. He was a lifetime Memphian. He attended St. Teresa Little Flower School and Catholic High School where he earned the nickname “stump“ as a football player who was vertically challenged but tough as nails. He graduated in 1958 and enlisted in the Marines. After his service to our country he worked as a surveyor then settled into a career with Gulf Oil Company which later became BPOil. There he worked for 37 Years, first as a transport driver then as dispatcher. His CB Handle was “Backup Jack” as his coworkers said he could drive in reverse as well as forward.

He married Eugenia Marie Sangilantoni “Genie” on May 2, 1965. They were happily married for almost 60 years. Together they raised 6 children. Jack was a honest hardworking American man. Always determined to complete the task at hand no matter what it may be or the obstacles that he faced. He never wanted to pay someone for something he thought he could make or fix himself. He was a DIY guy before it was cool, way ahead of his time. If only we had YouTube 50 years ago!

Easy to talk to, always level headed and easy going, Jack had many friends and was loved by all who met him.

He was G-Daddy to 15 grandchildren and 5 great-grands. His family was always his main focus and he loved each of his children and grand children equally and unconditionally. In his retirement years he spent his time as one of the biggest fans to each of his grandkids. From Football, baseball, soccer, swimming, volleyball, basketball, softball to stage performances, he and Genie were always in the stands cheering and supporting. Never did they miss a game or performance if it was at all possible. Jack loved American history, and he loved this country. He also loved his Irish heritage and spent much of his time in retirement researching his family history.

Jack, courageously and without complaint, fought a battle with cancer for a few years. He passed away peacefully in his home on April 2. He is now in Heaven, reunited with his family and friends who passed away before him. He will be loved and missed greatly by his family and friends here on Earth. He is survived by his wife Genie, his children John (Tina), Gina (Tim), Tommy (MaryAnne), Mary (Jeff), Jim (Stacey) and Joe (Debra), and his grandchildren and sisters Jeanette and Kathleen.

Services will be at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Monday, April 14. Visitation will be at 9:30 with a Funeral Mass at 10:30. There will be a reception following the mass at the Family Life Center at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to St. Jude Hospital.

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