Obituary for Patrick Franklin O'Brien
Patrick Franklin O’Brien, age 69, was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma on October 10, 1953. He died at home on Friday, December 9, 2022. A memorial service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 21, 2022 in the Strode Funeral Home Chapel, with a come-and-go reception following.
Pat attended high school at C. E. Donart and had his senior year at Ponca City High school. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. degree in Public Administration in 1978 and was employed by Four Star Marine as Director of Purchasing in Muskogee. He later was the Purchasing Supervisor for Domestic & International Operations at Loffland Brothers in Tulsa in l981, then worked as the Plant Operator with City of Tulsa in l986. After returning to Stillwater in 1992, he worked various jobs until he became self-employed as Pat’s Handyman Service, which was always his desire.
He was such a private person, and not many knew the real Pat. He was a kind, loyal and gentle soul who lived life on his own terms and who felt at peace with nature and taking care of his property.
Pat met the love of his life, Linda Taylor, on July 4, 1976 on a blind date at Lake Carl Blackwell and they were together from that day forward. They married April 21, 1979 in an outdoor wedding on a beautiful and sunny day. The biggest laugh he had shortly after being married was when he finally figured out that Linda was not 18 when they met but was really 16! His Dad had already figured it out and kept quiet because he knew Linda would be good for him. He was Linda’s protector and best friend for 45 years.
Their best times were driving down country roads with music playing and an ice chest at their feet in the 100-degree heat! They used to pick a direction and drive, just enjoying the
day. They talked and laughed the whole way and were always so glad to get back home. So many memories, so many dreams.
They worked side by side clearing their property, mowing, planting bushes and making new areas for flower beds. It seemed like they were always digging holes, trimming trees, and clearing brush in the heat and cold and rain and snow. Many times, Linda reminded him “I can't feel my feet" but they kept at it until the job was finished. And the fires he built were amazing! The fire would be so big that Linda would stand too close and nearly set her pants on fire!
Pat did all the maintenance on the trucks and Linda crawled under and over, again in the heat and cold and handed him the tools needed before he asked. She knew if she did not help him that he would go at it alone, because that is who he was. He depended on no one.
The garden he put in each year was "just tomatoes" but they were the best heirloom anyone ever tasted, and were the source of many wonderful BLT sandwiches. They never got tired of all the tomatoes - Sunday meals were special!
They built their carport and work shop! Linda thought she would never be able to lift her arms again after lifting so much sheet metal and lumber, and Pat finally learned when she said" I'm letting go" that I meant NOW and he moved fast to catch it before it hit the ground!
The news of stage 4 Glaucoma in July of 2019 was a devastating blow for someone so fiercely independent, and this was not something he could or would accept. Working with his hands and working outdoors was how he lived his life and made his living, and no other way would do. He was encouraged to get a service dog, but he knew Linda really just wanted the dog! And then if that wasn't enough to deal with, he was diagnosed with kidney failure a year later.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Bonnie O'Brien. He is survived by his wife Linda and by his sister Connie Pirtle of Pittsburgh, PA. He also leaves behind and grieving for him Stella and Isabella, his sweet and crazy cats, and Gracie, his puppy who finally came into his life when he most needed her.
Those wishing to honor Pat's memory may do so by contributing to the Stillwater Humane Society () or Tiny Paws Kitten Rescue (
The family would like to thank Brooke Kimmel with the monthly Caregiver Support Group for the information provided and having conversations with someone who is dealing with the same daily issues.
The family would also like to thank Lynsey Espinoza with Karman Legacy Hospice for all the support in trying to make Hospice happen!
Pat attended high school at C. E. Donart and had his senior year at Ponca City High school. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. degree in Public Administration in 1978 and was employed by Four Star Marine as Director of Purchasing in Muskogee. He later was the Purchasing Supervisor for Domestic & International Operations at Loffland Brothers in Tulsa in l981, then worked as the Plant Operator with City of Tulsa in l986. After returning to Stillwater in 1992, he worked various jobs until he became self-employed as Pat’s Handyman Service, which was always his desire.
He was such a private person, and not many knew the real Pat. He was a kind, loyal and gentle soul who lived life on his own terms and who felt at peace with nature and taking care of his property.
Pat met the love of his life, Linda Taylor, on July 4, 1976 on a blind date at Lake Carl Blackwell and they were together from that day forward. They married April 21, 1979 in an outdoor wedding on a beautiful and sunny day. The biggest laugh he had shortly after being married was when he finally figured out that Linda was not 18 when they met but was really 16! His Dad had already figured it out and kept quiet because he knew Linda would be good for him. He was Linda’s protector and best friend for 45 years.
Their best times were driving down country roads with music playing and an ice chest at their feet in the 100-degree heat! They used to pick a direction and drive, just enjoying the
day. They talked and laughed the whole way and were always so glad to get back home. So many memories, so many dreams.
They worked side by side clearing their property, mowing, planting bushes and making new areas for flower beds. It seemed like they were always digging holes, trimming trees, and clearing brush in the heat and cold and rain and snow. Many times, Linda reminded him “I can't feel my feet" but they kept at it until the job was finished. And the fires he built were amazing! The fire would be so big that Linda would stand too close and nearly set her pants on fire!
Pat did all the maintenance on the trucks and Linda crawled under and over, again in the heat and cold and handed him the tools needed before he asked. She knew if she did not help him that he would go at it alone, because that is who he was. He depended on no one.
The garden he put in each year was "just tomatoes" but they were the best heirloom anyone ever tasted, and were the source of many wonderful BLT sandwiches. They never got tired of all the tomatoes - Sunday meals were special!
They built their carport and work shop! Linda thought she would never be able to lift her arms again after lifting so much sheet metal and lumber, and Pat finally learned when she said" I'm letting go" that I meant NOW and he moved fast to catch it before it hit the ground!
The news of stage 4 Glaucoma in July of 2019 was a devastating blow for someone so fiercely independent, and this was not something he could or would accept. Working with his hands and working outdoors was how he lived his life and made his living, and no other way would do. He was encouraged to get a service dog, but he knew Linda really just wanted the dog! And then if that wasn't enough to deal with, he was diagnosed with kidney failure a year later.
Pat was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Bonnie O'Brien. He is survived by his wife Linda and by his sister Connie Pirtle of Pittsburgh, PA. He also leaves behind and grieving for him Stella and Isabella, his sweet and crazy cats, and Gracie, his puppy who finally came into his life when he most needed her.
Those wishing to honor Pat's memory may do so by contributing to the Stillwater Humane Society (
The family would like to thank Brooke Kimmel with the monthly Caregiver Support Group for the information provided and having conversations with someone who is dealing with the same daily issues.
The family would also like to thank Lynsey Espinoza with Karman Legacy Hospice for all the support in trying to make Hospice happen!