Joseph Gabriel O'Bryan, Jr., age 71, current resident of Overland Park, Kansas, and formerly of Ft. Scott, passed away peacefully at his home Sunday morning, Nov. 6, 2022, surrounded by his loved ones.
He was born June 23, 1951, in Ft. Scott, the son of Joe and Rosemary Rendina O'Bryan of Hiattville, Kansas. Joseph attended St. Patrick's Grade School in Walnut, Kansas, and went on to graduate from Mauer Hill Prep School in Atchison, Kansas, with the class of 1969. Joseph then attended Pittsburg State University and graduated in 1974. Joseph was very proud of putting himself through high school and college.
Joseph married Karen Willard on June 30, 2007, in Ft. Scott. Growing up, Joseph worked on the family ranch. After college, he worked for Midwestern Distribution as a customer service representative and logistics design coordinator. Later, he was employed by Shepherd Team Auto Plaza, then Names and Numbers, and finally sold and serviced credit card systems throughout the United States until retirement. Joseph enjoyed playing golf and being in nature on his horse Redbird during his time on the family farm.
Survivors include his wife Karen of the home and stepson Dustin Willard, Lenexa, Kansas. Also surviving, are his brothers and sisters W.W. O'Bryan of Hepler, Kansas, Savina Schoenhofer (Gwen Bussa) of Jackson, Mississippi, Mary Jo Van Walleghem (Mike) of Stillwell, Kansas, Patrick O'Bryan (Tim) of Pittsburg, Maggie Meetz of Fairview, Texas, Daniel O'Bryan (Lyn) of Wichita, Kansas, and Katie McCroskey (Bob), Springfield, Missouri; sisters-in-law Sondra Cowen (Larry) of Ft. Scott, Connie Hayden (Dale) of Manhattan, Kansas, and Kim Sheets of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Joseph was preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Rosemary O'Bryan, Vicki Smith O'Bryan, Kenny and Ann Smith, Curtis and Wilda Insley, Mike and Susan O'Bryan, and John Meetz.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the John F. Kennedy Gymnasium in Ft. Scott. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery. The Rosary will be prayed at 5 p.m. Thursday, followed by a visitation from 5:30 until 7 p.m. at the Cheney Witt Chapel. Memorials are suggested to Mary Queen of Angels Catholic Church and may be left in the care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.
