Dennis O'Brien

Dennis O’Brien passed away on August 18, 2026. In chronological years, he was 79, but if a life can be measured in fun, he lived at least twice that long.

Dennis enjoyed life. As Vicki, his daughter-in-law, often said, “Denny LIVES!” If he wasn’t playing golf, traveling with his wife Mary Ann, enjoying a drink or good meal with friends, gardening with his son Brad, playing with his grandson Deckard and granddog Harlow, or watching a golf match or an old Western, he was either sleeping or sick. He definitely wasn’t sitting around bored.

Dennis was born in Troy, New York where he developed a love for golf at an early age. Service in the U.S. Air Force took him to Vietnam and eventually to Destin, Florida, where he met Mary Ann, his wife of 53 years. Through his work in the nuclear power industry, he ended up in South Carolina, where his son Brad was born. Dennis and his family later moved to Texas, where he discovered Jalapeno peppers, developed a love for spicy foods, and made many new friends. He also played a lot of golf, as he was fortunate enough to live on the 4th hole of a very nice course.

Through another job transfer, Dennis and his family returned to South Carolina, where he quickly made new friends, reconnected with old ones, and found new golf courses to play. In retirement, he took regular trips to Boston and the Florida Keys with Mary Ann and golf trips with his friends. He took up gardening, refined his hot sauce making skills, and seemed to always find new ways to enjoy life.

Dennis is survived by his wife Mary Ann, son Brad, grandson Deckard, daughter-in-law Vicki, and granddog Harlow.

Anyone who knew Denny is invited to join the family in telling him goodbye. A graveside service will be held on August 24 at 10:00 a.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery, 4170 Percival Rd. Columbia, SC 29229. Informal attire is encouraged. Dress in the way Denny would have seen you on the golf course.

Please don’t send flowers, just keep Denny in your hearts. If you’d like to send a memorial, you can donate in his name to Final Victory Animal Rescue.