Benny Wade O'Brien

A service to celebrate the life of Benny Wade O’Brien will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, July  9, 2019, in the chapel of Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home with Bro. Bruce Mitchell officiating.  Burial will follow at Beulah Methodist Cemetery in Marthaville, LA.  The family will receive friends from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Monday, July 8, 2019, at Blanchard-St. Denis Funeral Home.   Benny, 76 years of age and a resident of Natchitoches, passed away on July 4, 2019, at his home with his loved ones by his side.  He was born on September 5, 1942, to Thurman Wade O’Brien and Lovey Irene Prothro O’Brien in Pleasant Hill, LA.  He is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Patrick Wade O’Brien, and sister Joy Nell O’Brien.   He was a devoted husband, dad, granddad, great-granddad, and friend.  His greatest pleasure came from being with his family and friends.  As a child, he attended Marthaville Elementary School, and later graduated from Marthaville High in 1960.  Following graduation, he attended Northwestern State College obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree.  Throughout life, he went on to work as an electrical engineer, school teacher, real estate broker, and landowner.  Benny also had a knack for fixing things.  He enjoyed doing his own mechanic work to save money.   As a young child, Benny was baptized in the Marthaville Baptist Church.  He had a strong faith in doing what he felt was right.  He had a great love for the outdoors.  A part of his legacy will always be his favorite place, Kisatchie National Forest.  He considered this his second home. For over 50 years, he enjoyed being in the woods. Over these years he made many friends.  These friends came to be his “Camp Family”.  He especially enjoyed camping and riding ATVs with his camp friends.  He loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.   Benny is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean Ellzey O’Brien; grandson, J. D. Wyble and wife Tammi; great-grandsons, Luke, Zach, and Jace Wyble; niece, Gina Dickenson, and husband Bill; as well as several great-nieces.   Those honored to serve as pallbearers include Mason Pitts, Josh Walker, Wade Stephens, Donnie Martin, Jacob Norton, Trey Guin.  Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Benson, Steve Harkins, Doug Revels, Victor Longlois, Jim Whitten, Ralph Guin, and Bill Kennedy.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice in celebration of Benny’s life.   The family would like to say Thank you for all the calls, texts, prayers and thoughts. It is truly appreciated during this difficult time.