Vincent Walter "Buz" O'Brien

Vincent Walter “Buz” O’Brien passed at home from this life to his heavenly reward with Jesus on Thursday, September 21, 2023. Buz was 93 years old.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on December 19, 1929, Buz was the son of Vincent Walter Sr. and Mary Ann O’Brien. Buz married Patricia Ann Florence, on October 25, 1952, and they remained together for over 70 years.

Buz went to the prestigious Culver Military Academy during high school years where he was a member of the crew team. He went to college at Loyola University of Chicago before joining the Air Force in 1950 where he flew F-94 Starfire’s during the Korean war. In 1958 he joined American Airlines as a pilot where he was employed until he retired as the senior 727 captain in 1990. In 1972 Patricia and Buz moved to Arlington as part of a transfer with American Airlines that brought them to Texas. Buz loved his animals and rarely was seen without one in his lap or at his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Joan Mooney of Chicago.

In addition to his children, Patti Leyerle and her husband Dave, Michael O’Brien and his wife, Laura, David O’Brien and his wife, Brenda, Buz is survived by his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Ronnie Brown, and his daughter Kaylee, and son Kaiden, Jennifer Bertram and her husband Greg, and their son Liam, Michael O’Brien Jr., Shannon Loftis and her husband Reed, and their daughter Annie, Kyle O’Brien, Colin O’Brien and his wife Laura, Caitlyn O’Brien, Casey O’Brien, and step grandchildren, Brent Leyerle, Krista Leyerle Grant and her husband Micah, son Noah, and daughter Ruthie.

There will be a private family memorial service to celebrate Vincent’s life.