James Matthew O'Brien

St. Charles James "OB" Matthew O'Brien, 88, of St. Charles died Sunday evening, May 19th in St. Charles. He was born January 21, 1925 in Lewiston to James E. and Maude (Litcher) O'Brien and was raised in Lewiston, where he graduated high school. Jim entered the U.S. Navy the day he turned 18, where he graduated from aviation radio school and aerial gunnery school and served in the South Pacific. Following his return from the service, Jim attended Winona State College and later worked as a carpenter. On August 20, 1948 he and Karolyn M. Simon were married in Altura. After working for Valley Wholesalers as a sales rep for four years, they moved to St. Charles in 1957 where he had accepted a job as manager of the Municipal Liquor Store. In 1965, Jim went to work for Phillips Liquor as a sales representative. Jim excelled in many sports, such as baseball in high school and college and on town teams for many years following college. He boxed in college and in the Navy. He was an excellent musician, having played trumpet in high school and in area bands. Jim was a long time member of the St. Charles American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Masonic Lodge and Moose Lodge of St. Charles. For many years he served as the bugler for the military graveside honors group. In later years, he enjoyed golfing with friends. He was a member of the St. Charles United Methodist Church. Survivors include his two children, Keith (LaVonne) O'Brien of Shoreview and Julia O'Brien of St. Charles, three grandchildren; Dr. Megan (Dr. Lee Jamison) O'Brien, Dagan (Chris) Henry and Danielle Henry and one step-great-grandchild John Kohrt. He was preceded in death by his wife Karolyn in 2011, his parents, two sisters Jean Hoppe and Beth Christenson and a nephew Larry Christenson. Funeral Services to celebrate Jim's life will be 11AM Friday, May 31st at Hoff Funeral & Cremation Service in St. Charles with the Reverend Heather E. Klason officiating. Private burial of Jim's cremated body will be in Hillside Cemetery at a later date. Friends may call from 9 AM until time of services at the funeral home. A reception will follow services at the St. Charles Moose Lodge. Please share a memory of Jim at his on-line guestbook and view his Tribute Video when it becomes available at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/400445