James Edward O'Brien

James (Jim) Edward O’Brien, 76, of Woodford, VT passed away on October 11,2023, in South Jordan, Utah. He was born on February 13, 1947, in Bennington, Vermont to George H. O’Brien Jr. and Marie C. (Niemeyer) O’Brien. On May 6, 1972, he married the love of his life, RoseAnn Farrens, in North Bennington, Vermont. They were later sealed for eternity in the Idaho Falls Temple on August 1, 1978. They spent 45 loving years together. Jim was raised and received his early education in Woodford, later graduating from Benn High in 1965. He and RoseAnn moved to Cranfills Gap, Texas early in their marriage, where he completed business college for Real Estate Investments. During their time in Texas, he drove delivery trucks and remodeled houses. After moving back to Vermont in 1979, Jim worked at Hanes and Kanes, the lumber yard at Tuttle’s, and Bennington Cooling and Heating with his two sons George and Anthony. During his retirement, Jim found a passion for transporting special needs children to and from school and appointments. He enjoyed these sweet friendships and felt that he developed a special connection with each child. Jim was a self-taught musician, teaching himself as a teenager to play the steel guitar by ear. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jim was one of the founders of a local country band called the Driftwoods and played the guitar for them for 8 years. Jim was an avid sports fan who loved watching football, basketball, baseball, NASCAR, golf, and any sport that his grandkids played. Jim also loved spending time in the woods hunting with his friends. What Jim was most proud of was the home he built for his wife and children nestled at the bottom of Woodford Mountain along Route 9. He lived there for 33 years before he moved to Utah in 2021. Jim is survived by his children, JR (Holly) O’Brien, George (Holly) O’Brien, Rachel (Spencer) Nichols, and Anthony (Alicia) O’Brien. Jim loved his 11 grandchildren dearly. He is survived by his grandchildren, Liam, and Ronan O’Brien, Amber, Kaity, and Emilie O’Brien, Spencer, Dallin, Jared, and Isaac Nichols, and Avalee, and Anthony O’Brien Jr. Jim was also excited about his 12th grandchild coming this April to Anthony and Alicia. Jim is predeceased by his parents George H. O’Brien Jr. and Marie C. O’Brien along with his wife and sweetheart RoseAnn O’Brien. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, October 24, 2023, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints at 11:00 a.m. A graveside service will directly follow the funeral at the Woodford Cemetery. There will be no calling hours. Following the burial, friends are welcome to join the family for a reception held at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The family would like to thank the staff of Aspire Home Health and Hospice of Taylorsville, Utah, and Legacy House Assisted Living in South Jordan, Utah, for all the care and support they offered Jim. You all made our dad’s last days at home comfortable up until his passing. For that, we are incredibly grateful and appreciative.