James Patrick O’Brien, 86, of Fallbrook, California, son, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, coach, and friend, passed away on February 22, 2025

James was born on March 11, 1938, to Patrick and Annabelle O’Brien in El Paso, Texas. He moved to San Diego, California, with his mom and younger sister Patsy shortly after her birth. He spent his childhood in Linda Vista, where he quickly excelled in all sports. He attended Kearny High School, played baseball, basketball, and football, and was Student Body President, graduating in 1956. During this time, he also played on several fast-pitch softball teams, including one for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the church he joined when he was 15. After high school, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) on an Engineering scholarship but changed his major to Physical Education. He played baseball at BYU and graduated in 1961 with a Master’s Degree.

He married Anna Hengst (also a Kearny High School graduate) on August 29, 1959, and they moved back to California when Jim got a job at North Torrance High School teaching and coaching baseball. He never looked back. During his 12-year career at North, he coached the Saxons to two CIF championships (1971 and 1974) and one runner-up (1972). He also coached all levels of football, from Bees to Varsity.

During the “North” days, he started a Christmas Tree lot to raise money for the Saxons to attend a Lazy R dude ranch in Utah. After a few years, Jim and Anna took over the business and developed it into one of the largest tree lots in the South Bay, providing jobs to many in the area during the holidays.

In 1976, Jim started his coaching career at Los Angeles Harbor College. In his first year, the Seahawks came in second in the State Championship and were the State Champions in 1978. The Seahawks went on to win two more State Championships (in 1984 and 1990). Jim earned the honor of National Coach of the Year in 1978, 1984, and 1990. More importantly, Jim, known to many as Coach O’Brien, was always proud when his players went on to be successful in either professional baseball or a four-year college.

After retiring from coaching in 1990, Jim served as the Athletic Director at Harbor full-time until he retired in 2001. He was inducted into the San Pedro Sports Walk of Fame in 2012, and was inducted into the National Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2014.

After Jim retired, he and Anna moved to Fallbrook. While in Fallbrook, Jim and Anna served as Ordinance Workers in the San Diego Temple (for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) for 18 years. Jim also served in many assignments at the local church in Fallbrook, which he loved. Most recently, he taught the seven-year-olds with another 80-year-old man, and they loved the children’s energy and life.

He loved spending time with this family, which includes children (6), grandchildren (20), and great-grandchildren (27). Most of their vacations were family-related – watching sports games, dance performances, and church events. Jim always looked forward to the O’Brien/Johnson family reunions every other year, where he spent time with all who could attend. He loved his family more than anything in the world.

James is survived by his wife, Anna; children Kathy (Mark) Furin, Linda O’Brien, Kerry (Brett) Fulton, Casey (Debbie) O’Brien, Sean (Marci) O’Brien, Cathy (Tony) “Mills” Freitas. He was preceded in death by his father, Patrick James O’Brien, his mother, Annabelle Eminger, and his sister, Patsy Jo Johnson.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 621 S. Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook, CA, 92028.