Kyle Lee O’Brien
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Funeral services for Kyle Lee O’Brien, 77, Lawrence, will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022 at Heritage Baptist Church in Lawrence. Burial with full military honors will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Kyle passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022 at his home surrounded by his loving family.
Kyle was born on January 31, 1945 in Brenton, WV, the son of Charles Elliott and Beulah (Hurley) O’Brien.
He attended Oceana High School and Wyandotte High School.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army as a Sargent E5 at Fort Collins, CO during the Vietnam War. He was a strong Patriot and proud American.
He was a decorated Police Officer for 29 years with Kansas City, Kansas Police Department. He was a member of the KCK FOP Lodge #4 and instrumental in organizing and starting the KCK FOP Police Youth Rodeo which was held for many years in Wyandotte County. He was a member of Heritage Baptist Church where he attended and had many loving brothers and sisters in Christ.
He was a devoted and loving dad and grandpa/pop and he enjoyed supporting and attending as many events and activities as possible for his kids and grandkids. He loved horses and rodeo, and he passed this love onto his family. He instilled a strong work ethic and a zest for adventure and living life to the fullest in his family.
He was an avid Jayhawk fan and loved attending as many games and events as possible. He also loved and enjoyed riding his motorcycle with friends and family all over the country. He had a very generous heart and was always ready to lend a helping hand.
He had many great friends and family from Lawrence to West Virginia and will be missed deeply by all.
Survivors include his daughter, Michelle “Mickey” L. Gifford, Melissa “Missy” L. (Nathan) Jolley, Claudia “Katie” (Matt) Schmidt; son, Matthew L. (Nikki) O’Brien, Kyle Chad (Kellie) O’Brien; 11 grandchildren, Cody A. (Sara) Gifford, Casey A. Gifford, Emma Jolley, Elyssa “Elle” Jolley, Makaila N. Connell, Katherine A. O’Brien, Kaitlin E. House, Gavin P. O’Brien, Isabella S. Flores, Wyatt O’Brien Schmidt, Charley Mae Schmidt; two brothers, Eddie B. O’Brien, Jimmy A. (Wanda) O’Brien and one sister, Phyllis O’Brien Hawley and several nieces and nephews, and numerous beloved cousins. Kyle was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Larry C. O’Brien.
The family will greet friends from 5 – 7 p.m. on Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at Warren-McElwain Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials in Kyle’s name to Visiting Nurses Hospice or Heritage Baptist Church and may be sent in care of Warren-McElwain Mortuary, 120 W. 13th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.
Rest In Peace my wonderful cousin. We enjoyed a lot of good years together. Carrol
Family, we loved Kyle and always enjoyed our conversations we had. I cherish the time we spent at Darren’s and then rode our trikes all over the beauty state of West Virginia. Kyle was an awesome man and I always looked up to him because he wore the badge of honor. It’s not goodbye but see you soon in heaven cuz!
For all of the fun and mischief we had you were my hero will miss you a lot
What a wonderful grandpa you have been and such a supportive father! You seem to enjoy life and lived a positive live. Gone too soon.
Rest In Peace Kylee Lee
Kyles family, you are in our thoughts & prayers. He always had a loving smile & the sweetest gentle spirit. He will truly be missed.
Kyle’s family, you have my deepest condolences and you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?”
The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
“No, Lord, I guess I ain’t,
Because those of us who carry badges
can’t always be a saint.
I‘ve had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I’ve been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn’t mine to keep….
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you’ve a place for me here,
Lord, It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t…..I’ll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
“Step forward now, policeman,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven’s streets,
You’ve done your time in hell.”
Kyle thank you for teaching the new recruits with humor and compassion. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. Thank you for giving the new recruits the tools to succeed and be victorious in the daily battle against evil. God bless you Kyle.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Kyle. I only worked around him briefly, but I remember he always had a smile and a kind word and was an inspiration for us all to follow. Blessed are the peacemakers. May your rewards be great in heaven.
Retired Officer O’Brien was more than an Academy Instructor he was a teacher, leader, counselor, listener, most important father figure. He truly cared for as he said, ” his kids.” Thank you sir for all you did if it weren’t for you we would not have made it. You taught us compassion and patience. You followed me through my entire career for this I will be eternally grateful. I love you and will miss seeing you at the KU games.
Kyle was and is one of I and my wife’s dearest friends. Never had a bad time with Kyle. We will always remember the fun and excitement that came with the production and presentation associated with all the youth and pro rodeos Kyle and the rest of us on the rodeo committee had with each rodeo we produced. Rest in peace my brother, we will miss you dearly.
Kyle was an amazing Officer and friend. He was a tough Officer and mentally strong. He always stood for good and what was right in this world. He was funny most of the time and serious when necessary. He will be missed. We stayed in touch the last year and I enjoyed our talks. What a blessing he was even during his health issues. What a courageous and inspiring man. My brother Scott was mentored by him and they remained faithful friends to the end. So sorry to lose him for now but look forward to seeing him in heaven someday.
My deepest condolences to Kyle’s family.
I had the privilege and honor of working with Kyle for many years on the KCKPD. Kyle always had a smile and a warm hello for one and all. Kyle was a peoples cop, took control when needed but yet was very compassionate when needed. Kyle was the example of a great role model. RIP KYLE !
Kyle, thank you for reliving old, treasured WV memories and creating wonderful new ones. I will miss you greatly.
Your WV friend,
Peggy
To Kyle’s family: I pray you will be comforted with happy memories of an honorable man and a life well-lived.
Kyle O’Brien. What can I saw that has not already been said about Kyle. A cops cop, highest integrity, led by example, I always saw him lift others up before him, always knowing the right thing to say to lift some ones spirits. We worked together briefly throughout the years in south patrol and on the Police Rodeo Committee. Then towards the end of his career he joined us on staff at the Academy. Kyle brought so much join and laugher to the Academy, particular the staff. Kyle knew how to joking and pull pranks.
For those who did not know, the Staff had a small canoe paddle that would be seen hanging on the corner of a staff member’s desk. It would get passed around when that person was awarded the paddle for stirring the office manure. Of course I cleaned up the version of what we really called the “manure stirrer.” The paddle could only be passed to another staff member if they were stirring the manure.
As I remember on his last day of work, while he was loading his boxes to take home…. I do recall he was still in possession of that paddle.
My most sincere condolences to Kyle’s family. You all know how special he was in so many ways. I know there were more than likely sacrifices that you all made for his professional. Thank you for sharing him and touching the life’s he did.
Kyle, thank you for being a friend and your guidance. See you again.