Timothy J. O’Brien

Timothy Joseph O’Brien, age 72, passed away at his home in Lee’s Summit on the morning of July 22 with family members at his side.  He was born May 13, 1950 in Kansas City, MO, fourth of the eight children of Larry and Betty (Quirk) O’Brien.  Like his brothers before him, Tim was a proud graduate of Rockhurst High School and kept life-long friends from his school days.  After careers in O’Brien and Quirk family businesses, Tim spent decades as proprietor of Green Gate Stables, a horseback-riding and boarding business in Lee’s Summit.  His most pampered resident was “Snowhawk”, and a special bond was formed between the two that would last many years.  Tim was a permanent fixture on the O’Brien farm that surrounds his home and became its caretaker, security guard, chief woodsman and project assistant.  A dangerous Scrabble and Poker player, Tim always played to win and could not resist a little “trash talk” when he did so.  His home became the “Poker Palace” and on many a late night you could find the “Magnificent Seven” around the table: Tim, Curt, Bill, Dave, Greg, Pat and Bob.  For a time, Tim also bet the greyhounds at The Woodlands and on March 1, 1991 hit the coveted “Tri-Super” with his sister Eileen, paying nearly $200K; every bottle of old champagne on the farm was found that evening.  Tim always preached and practiced simple living and avoided the material goods many of us chase.  May we all try to walk his walk.  In death, Tim leaves five siblings: Don (Sherry), Terry, Eileen (Rich), Bill (Ava) and Bob (Yvonne).  He was preceded in death by his parents, his siblings Pat and Marian, sister-in-law Collette, niece Tara and nephew Jeff.  No funeral services are planned at this time; a small gathering will take place in the near future.  Tim chose as his final resting place Niangua Point, the famous cliff adjacent to our beloved Ozark cabin near Camdenton, MO.  May he rest there in peace.  The O’Brien family would like to extend its sincere thanks to KC Hospice & Palliative Care for helping Tim and family during his final weeks.  Memorials may be made in Tim’s honor to KC Hospice, Kansas City PBS or Seton Center of Kansas City.