Dr. James Christopher O’Brien died on July 29, 2013 at the age of 64. Dr. O’Brien graduated from Baylor School in 1966 and subsequently attended Vanderbilt University, the University of Alabama, and the University of Alabama Medical School. Dr. O’Brien practiced medicine in the Florence, Alabama area for over 30 years, specializing in orthopedic surgery. He initially shared his orthopedic practice with his father, Dr. Donald O’Brien for many years, until his father’s retirement. He then assumed his father’s practice and practiced orthopedic surgery on his own until his retirement in 2008. Dr. O’Brien was noted for his devotion to his patients, his intelligence, his sense of humor, and his love for the University of Alabama football team. He enjoyed piloting his plane and traveling, particularly to San Francisco and the mountains of North Carolina. In his later years, Dr. O’Brien suffered from multiple sclerosis, and was forced by his debilitating illness to cease practicing medicine in 2008. He courageously battled his illness for the past five years. Dr. O’Brien is survived by his parents, Dr Donald J. O’Brien and Evelyn O’Brien, of Florence, his brother, Joe O’Brien, of Little Rock, Arkansas, his sister, Mary Beth O’Brien Grady, of Atlanta, Georgia, and his brother, Walter O’Brien, of Florence. Dr. O’Brien was pre-deceased by his brother, John O’Brien. Dr. O’Brien also is survived by numerous nieces and nephews, who remember him fondly. The funeral Mass will be concelebrated by Father Andy Sullivan and Father Roy Runkle at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Florence at 11:00 AM on Thursday, August 1. Arrangements by Greenview Funeral Home.
