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Obituary for James "Jim" M. O'Brien
James (Jim) Michael O'Brien passed away at Curry General Hospital in Gold Beach on March 15, 2010. He was 75. Jim was born November 10, 1934 in San Diego, CA to Michael Joseph and Thelma Frances (McGuinness) O'Brien. He spent his youth the rural towns of Bonita and Chula Vista where he enjoyed riding his horse in the backcountry. A graduate of St. Augustine High School in San Diego, Jim joined in the US Marine Corps at age 17 and served during the Korean Conflict as a Drill Sergeant at M.C.R.D. in San Diego, CA. Later, he earned a Bachelor's Degree in Business from San Diego State University and enjoyed a successful career in sales, marketing and management in the fashion, beauty and toy industries. He was a sharp and brilliant businessman, working for companies such as The Broadway, Estee Lauder, Revlon, Mattel Toys, and Vidal Sassoon. Jim also worked in the restaurant industry, and was a savvy entrepreneur. He lived in various places across the United States including Denver, CO, Los Angeles, CA, Stamford, CT, Missoula, MT, Malvern, PA, Seattle, WA, and Washington, D.C. where he served as a Presidential Advanceman for Richard Nixon. Jim relocated to the Oregon coast in 1986 where he fulfilled a dream of being a commercial fisherman. He fished for black cod out of his co-owned boat, The Wild Horse, moored in Florence. He moved to Gold Beach in 1989 where he worked as a mobile cataract surgical equipment technician. He ultimately joined best friend and business partner Martin “Dewey” Powers in opening renowned Spinners Steak, Seafood & Chop House in Gold Beach. His passions were golf, scuba diving and being out on the open sea. Jim was loved and is survived by his sons and daughters-in-law, Michael and Grace O'Brien of Shingletown, CA and David and Trish O'Brien of Folsom, CA; daughter Audrey Bevin O’Brien; grandchildren, Shannon, Sean, Kelsey, Aaron, Collin, Daniel, Hannah and Landin O'Brien. James was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia Ann. At his request, no public ceremony will be held. Cremation was held at Redwood Memorial Crematory. His ashes will be scattered by his sons into the Pacific Ocean.
