Courtyards at Southpoint
Goodbye to a Neighbor
David Edgar O’Brien
Nov. 7, 1935 – Jan. 7, 2025
David Edgar O’Brien passed away peacefully Jan. 7, 2025, at the age of 89. Born in Charleston, S.C., Nov. 7, 1935, to David Edgar O'Brien Jr. and Clara O'Brien (née Rohrbach), he lived a life defined by curiosity, warmth and an adventurous spirit.
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He attended Porter Military Academy in Charleston and graduated from Carlisle Military Academy in Bamberg, S.C. After proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force, he moved to California in 1962 to build a future filled with opportunity.
That same year, he married Inez, the love of his life, beginning a lifetime of shared journeys.
David and his wife, Inez
​They settled in San Jose, Calif., where David built a career in the semiconductor industry. His work later took the family to Singapore and the Philippines, where they embraced new cultures and experiences with open hearts.
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David was a natural problem-solver, with the ability to fix anything with patience and ingenuity and was often found sharing this gift with others. He will be remembered for his kindness, blue eyes, a mischievous smile and sense of humor. A devoted family man, he cherished time with his loved ones and found joy in supporting them in every way.
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Upon retirement, David and Inez settled on Pawleys Island, S.C., where he spent 31 years gardening, reading, tinkering and sharing his kindness with everyone he met. In 2021, they moved to Durham to be closer to family, continuing their journey together in a place filled with love.
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David is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Inez O'Brien (née Smith); his daughter, Lauren O'Brien; son-in-law, Gilles Frenette; and step-grandchildren, Nicolas and Max Frenette. His legacy of kindness, curiosity and love of discovery will live on in the hearts of those who knew him.