Thomas "Tom" James O'Brien, Jr.

Thomas passed from this earth and into the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on February 24, 2026. He was born to the late Thomas James and Margaret O’Brien on December 14, 1946, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by sisters, Margaret Hyland and Ann Harris, as well as brothers, Dennis and Gerry O’Brien.

Thomas was a graduate of Father Judge High School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Reading Hospital School of Anesthesia, Reading, Pennsylvania. He served in the US Army Nurse Corps from 1966 to 1971. He retired as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist after forty-four years of service. Tom was a founding member and elder of Wilson Presbyterian Church. He was also a potter and loved giving his pottery to family and friends. His greatest joy was spending time with his wife Gail, and his children and grandchildren. He was married to Gail for fifty-five years and was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Thomas is survived by his wife Gail, and sons, Thomas J. O’Brien III (Ann) and Matthew E. O’Brien (Jenn). He is also survived by grandchildren, Thomas J. IV, Kendall, Katie Magarrell (Theo), Maggie, Wesley, and Abbie O’Brien and several great grandchildren. He is survived by six siblings, Teresa Thoman, Kevin O’Brien, Michael O’Brien, Susan Ivey, Joseph O’Brien, and Beth Kane, as well as many nieces and nephews.

A service praising the goodness and grace of God in Thomas’ life will be held at Wilson Presbyterian Church, 4851 Bloomery Rd, Wilson, North Carolina on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM. There will be a time of visitation prior to the service at 1:00 PM. Interment will be at a later date.

Condolences directed to Joyner’s Funeral Home and Crematory at www.joyners.net.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.