John Edward O'Brien

John O’Brien passed away peacefully at home in Pagosa Springs on October 4, 2025. John was born on October 27, 1937 to Edward (Ted) and Louise O’Brien in Santa Rita, New Mexico. He spent most of his youth in Roswell, New Mexico, where he developed a lifelong love of Scouting. While in high school in Roswell, John saved a child from drowning during a flash flood. He went on to attend New Mexico State University in Las Cruces, New Mexico. While in college, his U.S. Army Reserve unit was activated during the Cuban Missile Crisis and he spent nine months serving on active duty. John went on to graduate from NMSU with an undergraduate degree in business and spent several years in banking before starting at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

John met Mary Frances (Fran) in Los Alamos and they married in 1968 and moved to Pojoaque, New Mexico in 1973. While hesitant, John accepted Fran’s desire to have horses and he built a barn, corrals, and outbuildings that at times also housed pigs, turkeys, chickens, guinea hens, and pigeons. In Pojoaque, John once again became involved in Scouting as an adult leader and enjoyed seeing the development of his scouts and took pride in their accomplishments.

In 1993, John retired from Los Alamos National Laboratory and in 2001, John and Fran moved to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. John had a generous spirit and looked for ways to help others. In Pagosa, he joined the Knights of Columbus and enjoyed the friendship and service of his fellow knights. John often had a small clipboard in hand and enjoyed working on projects. He helped create the Stations of the Cross Prayer Garden and sparked the creation of the columbarium at the John Paul II Catholic Church campus. John loved socializing with his “coffee club” gang until the very end.

John is survived by his wife Fran; children Patrick (Alicia), Greg, Deborah (Mike); grandchildren Liam, Brigid, Caileigh, and Emma; brother Walter; and many nephews and nieces.

A celebration of John’s life will be held on Friday, October 10, at the John Paul II Catholic Church in Pagosa Springs. The Rosary will begin at 9:30am, Mass at 10:00am, and the interment of his ashes following Mass. A reception will follow in the narthex of John Paul II Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in John’s memory to the Guadalupana Society. For information on donations contact Kindra Martinez of the Guadalupana Society at (505) 328-7645.