James "Jim" D. O'Brien, 75, of Byron, passed away on Friday April 27, 2018, peacefully at home with family by his side from complications of Alzheimer's Disease.

He was born on June 9, 1942 to Daniel and Dorothy (Ellis) O'Brien in Rochester, MN. He was a 1960 graduate of Lourdes High School. From 1964-1966, he served in the US Navy aboard the USS Enterprise. In 1966, he married his lifelong partner and wife, Pam Watts, in Rochester. In 1970, Jim worked as a firefighter for the Rochester Fire Department for 27 years until retiring in 1997. During this time, he also worked as a brick layer.

Jim was an avid hunter, trapper, and fisherman and he had a deep love for the outdoors and the area in which he lived. He was a member of a hunting club named "The Shady Bunch" with his friends. Jim was rarely found indoors. He spent most of his free time enjoying his many hobbies which included Arrowhead hunting, gold panning, ginseng hunting, morel mushroom hunting, and fishing, just to name a few.  In his later years, he focused less on hunting animals and more on appreciating them. He had a way with animals and even befriended a wild owl that would follow him around. Later, he enjoyed his winter months fishing in Florida with his beloved wife.

Jim is survived by his wife, Pam of Byron; daughters, Tammy (Dave) Evans of Eyota, and Heather (Shane) Morgan of Byron; four grandchildren; Jeremy, Brandon (Elaina) Evans, Jacob (Jessica) Buruato, Marshall (Ally) Buruato, one great-grandson; Gideon Buruato; and his brother, Thomas O'Brien of Florida.

The Funeral Service for Jim will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 5, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday evening, May 4, 2018 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home along with one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Elba, MN.

Memorials are preferred to Season's Hospice of Rochester.