O'Brien, Perry Emmet

Passed: 1984-08-11

Age: 86

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1984-08-15

Information: DEATH CLAIMS CIVIC LEADER - Death claimed Ripley attorney and civic leader Perry Emmet O'Brien, 86, following a short illness, Saturday.  He had been a practicing attorney in Ripley for 50 years.  He became ill at his home Friday night.  An ambulance was summoned late Saturday morning.  He was pronounced dead at Jackson General Hospital.. He was active in civic and community affairs.  For his tireless efforts of 30 years in promoting the Mill Creek Watershed project and seeing it become a reality, the Jackson County Commission honored him in a May 29 ceremony designating Site 13 as the Perry Emmet O'Brien Dam.  Mr O'Brien was given the title of the West Virginia Library Trustee of the Year in 1950 for his work with the libraries. He was a member of the West Virginia Library Commission, the Jackson County Library Board, and Alpha Regional Library Board.  He was a key figure in the establishment of the two county libraries.  He was given the title of Mr. Librarian.  His newest project was leading a campaign in eradication of multiflora rose in Jackson County.  A committee had been established with a meeting set  later this week to attack the problem.  Mr O""Brien's community service was a lengthy and varied one.  He served as mayor of Ripley from 1955 to 1957.  He was a former city recorder.  He served as president of the Jackson County Library Board, was past president of Ripley Rotary Club and Ripley Chamber of Commerce.  He had served as chairman of the Jackson County Health Board, Mill Creek Watershed Commission, Ripley Park Commission, and was a 39-year member and chairman of the Jackson County Selective Service Board.  He served as trustee of Jackson General Hospital; trustee of United Methodist Church; served on the West Virginia  Annual Conference Commission on Archives and History; was a former director of Wesley Foundation of Glenville State College; was a member of American Legion, Masons and Sons of American Revolution.  He was a member of the Jackson County Bar Association and West Virginia Bar Association.  Mr O""Brien was the current president of the Jackson County Historical Society.  He was a member of Epworth United Methodist Church and was a World War I veteran.  He was a native of Buckhannon, son of the late William Smithe O'Brien and Emma White O'Brien.  He earned his BS degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College and law degree from West Virginia University.  He also attended law school at George Washington University.  He was a teacher at Logan, Triadelphia and Victory High Schools in Clarksburg prior to becoming a lawyer. Funeral services are scheduled this morning, 11 a.m., at Epworth United Methodist Church with the Rev. Ronald Brooks officiating.  Burial will be in Pine Hill Cemetery.  Survivors include his son, Dr. William S. O'Brien, Carbondale, Ill.; brother, William R. O'Brien, Buckhannon; sister, Mary M. O'Brien, Charleston; one grandchild; one great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by his wife, Winnifred.  In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Jackson County Library in Ripley or the American Heart Association.  NOTE:  Mr. O'Brien was born August 2, 1898 in Buckhannon, Upshur County, WV.