Kyle Lee O’Brien

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. 13 ^th Street, Lawrence, KS 66044.