Francis A O'Brien

Francis A. O'Brien was born December 3, 1928, on a dairy farm in Truman, Wisconsin, the oldest of 12 children, born to the late Ben and Mary O'Brien. He was employed by J. I. Case Co. and Marathon Electric Co. of Wisconsin. He worked himself up to supervisor and process engineer.

He was a coach in both basketball and baseball as his children were growing up. He loved to fish for Muskie and was President of Bill's Muskie Club in Wausau, Wisconsin. He was a licensed real estate salesperson, insurance agent and home builder contractor.

He married Leecha in 1986 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in his third marriage. He joined the Lions Club International in 1980, and served as Lions District Governor in both Wisconsin and again in Arkansas and helped to start many new Lions Clubs and received many awards for his service.

Francis served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He is a chartered member of the Korean War Veterans in Mountain Home, a life member of the Alley-White American Legion Post #52 and served as 2nd District Commander, Northwest Area Vice Commander, State Department Judge Advocate, Department Commander of Arkansas American Legion and served two years on the National American Legion as Alternate Executive Committeeman.

As a member of the North Central Arkansas Veterans' Council he was chairman of their effort to get the Veterans Clinic in Mountain Home and was chairman of building the Veterans' Wall of Honor on the plaza in Mountain Home and in front of the county court house. He had been Secretary/Treasurer of the NCAV Council since 1995, and was the building chairman of the Post #52's buying and building of their present building.

He served 8 years as State Chairman of the Arkansas State Athletic Association under Governor Mike Huckabee and 2 years as Chairman under Governor Mike Beebe.

Francis is survived by his loving wife, Leecha of the home; daughter, Mary Clark of Round Rock, TX; sons Kevin and Jeff of Wausau, WI, son, Randy and wife, Teri of Phoenix, AZ; three grandchildren, Nicole of Wausau, WI, Ryan Clark (Alyssa) of Austin Texas and Cory of Pheonix, AZ; two great-granddaughters and one great-grandson; brothers, Paul and Mike O'Brien of Tomahawk, WI, Patrick and wife, Betty of Mesa, AZ; sisters, Jean Stopper and husband Phil of Baraboo, WI, Joan and Husband, Dilbert Carey of Mineral Point WI; and Mary Karrow of Pardiville, WI; many nieces and nephews and three loving kitties, Tiger, Sam and Masan.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Harold and Larry O'Brien.

Visitation will be from 4:00 until 7:00 pm, April 30, 2015, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel with family receiving friends from 5:00 until 7:00 pm. A funeral service will be at 7:00 pm, following the visitation with Art Wallace and Don Owens officiating. Military Honors will be by the Alley-White American Legion Post #52 Honor Guard. Pallbearers will be the past Post Commanders.

Memorial may be made to the Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation, 3612 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock, AR 72116, (501) 590-6936.


Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.