Larry H. O'Brien

Larry H. O’Brien, 81, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on July 16, 2026. Larry was born and lived in Albuquerque attending APS schools. He graduated from Sandia High School in 1963. In 1965, he was called to serve his country during the Viet Nam war. He was a Viet Nam Navy veteran and served on an aircraft carrier until he was honorably discharged in 1969. Larry is survived by his wife of 58 years, Carol O’Brien, sons, Sean and Aaron O’Brien, and daughter, Heather O’Brien Lucas (Jason) and five grandchildren, Aiden, Zoey, and Alannah Lucas, and Alix and Joseph O’Brien, all residing in Albuquerque. Larry retired from US West after 29 years of employment. While he was retired, he restored a 1957 Chevrolet car and attended many car shows far and near. He won many awards and trophies for his beautiful custom car and enjoyed many friendships with car lovers. He was a member of the Classic Chevy Club of Albuquerque for many years and traveled near and far in his classic car with the car club. Larry decided to pursue a part-time job (to support his car habit!) and was hired by NAPA in Albuquerque, driving around delivering parts. He said many times that he wished he started working there after he returned to Albuquerque upon his naval discharge, being the car lover that he was! A funeral for Larry will be held at Strong-Thorne Mortuary, 1100 Coal Avenue SE, on August 3, 2026 at 11:00 am. A reception will follow the funeral. Burial will be at the Santa Fe Veterans Cemetery at 2:45 pm. Friends who wish may make a donation in Larry’s memory to the Fisher House of Albuquerque. Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes where military & veteran families can stay free of charge, while a loved one is in the hospital. These homes are located at military and VA medical centers around the world – https://fisherhouse.org