John Francis O'Brien

John Francis O’Brien, husband of the late Frances Dudley O’Brien, passed away peacefully on Sunday, April 12, 2026, in Charleston, SC, after a brief battle with cancer. A loving husband, father, brother, uncle, friend, and colleague, John will be remembered for his humility, wisdom, wit, and larger-than-life presence.

John was born on September 30, 1949, in Alameda, California. He was the son of the late John and Julia O’Brien, and the brother of the late Mary Ann O’Brien Leal and Patricia O’Brien. He graduated from Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, where he lettered in baseball and basketball and was later inducted into the SJND Athletic Hall of Fame. John attended Santa Clara University, where he played baseball and rowed crew, being voted outstanding oarsman by his teammates. He graduated with a B.S. in Engineering in 1972, and later received a Distinguished Alumni Award from the School of Engineering. John then attended the University of California, Berkeley, earning a M.S. in Geotechnical Engineering in 1973. He served as Captain in the Engineer Branch of the U.S. Army Reserves from 1973 to 1981, including active duty from 1974 to 1975. He later received his M.B.A. from Emory University in 1985.

In his more than 50 years as a civil engineer, John worked on thousands of geotechnical projects in roles at Westinghouse, Dames & Moore, URS, and most recently as a consultant with San-Diego-based NOVA Services. Among his most recognizable work is the air traffic control tower at the Atlanta airport, the foundation of the Charleston Place Hotel, numerous buildings on the Miami skyline, and the famous “Rex the Lion” statue at the entrance of the San Diego Zoo.

As accomplished as John was professionally, what mattered most to him was his beloved wife of 38 years Frances, son Tucker, and their many dogs and cats. While Tucker was growing up in Atlanta, John coached his basketball team at Northside Youth Organization, served as a Cub Scout Den Leader, and shared his passion for sailing and baseball (loyal to both the Giants and the Braves) with his son. Devout in his faith, John also provided spiritual guidance to individuals with terminal illnesses as a Stephen Minister through Northside United Methodist Church. Although he lived with adult-onset Pompe Disease for more than 25 years, he never let it define him and remained upbeat and active, and defied the odds by staying mobile for the rest of his life.

John is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Tucker and Lukia O’Brien; his brother-in-law George Leal (Ann); his niece Jennifer Leal Gowen (Tom); his nephew David Leal (Kristen); his grand-nephews and niece, Patrick, Sean, Harrison, Paul, and Cate. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Cecilia Wachtel and Lynell Fleming; his nieces Katie Trahan, Sara Locklear (Stevie); his nephew Nick Wachtel; and his grand-niece Kendall. He is also survived by his friend since childhood Patricia O’Hara.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at Northside United Methodist Church, 2799 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda, CA (https://www.sjnd.org/support/make-a-gift) or My Sonshine Foundation (https://www.mysonshinefoundation.org/).