Michael Lee O'Brien

Michae Lee O’Brien, age 52, departed this earth on October 1, 2025. He was the son of Robert J. O’Brien of Apple Valley, California and Betty Jo Baird of Brewster, Kansas. Mike was born on September 7, 1973, in Denver, Colorado. He completed High School at Littleton High School in Littleton, Colorado. His favorite pastime growing up was fishing, hiking and camping in the Colorado Mountains. He also resided in San Jose, California, where he enjoyed the beach.

Mike and his first wife (Michelle Reid) had a daughter, Autumn Marie, in 2002.

Mike was employed at Frontier Ag in Brewster, TO Haas and MC Auto, both in Colby. In November of 2014, he began working at Hinkle Termite and Pest Control as a Master Technician. He loved going to work and many of his workmates were like family to him. He was a dependable, hard worker who didn’t complain and kept a positive attitude. He was known for being able to outwork the “young boys”.

He and his wife Barbara were married on May 25, 2015. He became a stepfather to Barbara’s children; Nicholas Henry, Seward, Nebraska, Natasha (Besser) Baker and Kevin Besser, both of Colby. Barbara’s older grandchildren were very fond of Mike because he took the time to interact and play with them. He especially loved spending time with his granddaughter Lana and made it a priority. He attended church at Celebration Community Church in Colby, where he was water baptized.

Mike was truly a kind, friendly, funny, faithful, and easy-going guy who had many friends and acquaintances. He was fond of Thrash Metal music from the 1980’s and riding his off-road bicycle. He was a staunch believer in the American way of life and its history and values. His daily leisurely activity was relaxing on the front porch or back patio while educating himself about the current political environment and happenings. He enjoyed traveling and going on family vacations.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William and Mary O’Brien of San Jose, California and Bennie and Cornelia Baird of Goodland, Kansas and his sister Dana who passed away in 2006.

He is survived by his father Robert; his mother Betty Jo; his wife Barbara and her children and grandchildren; his daughter Autumn; granddaughter Lana; brothers Rob O’Brien (wife Siobhan and son Robbie) of Brewster, KS and Patrick O’Brien (wife Tammie and their daughter Samantha) of Loveland, Colorado. Surviving aunts and uncles are Erma and Lavelle Palmgren, of Brewster, Ben and Sue Baird, of Liberty, Missouri and Bruce and Donita Baird of Brewster. He also has many surviving cousins from the East to the West Coast of the USA.

A memorial service at the Brewster Community Church with inurnment in the Brewster Cemetery will be held on Monday December 1, 2025, time to be announced. Memorials may be made to the family to help with expenses and sent in care of Baalmann Mortuary, PO Box 391, Colby, KS 67701. For information or condolences visit baalmannmortuary.com