Randall John O'Brien

With great sadness, we must mourn the passing of Randall (Randy) John O’Brien (67) of Lakewood, Colorado, who died on April 30, 2026, as the result of complications from diabetes and kidney disease.  Randy was born on November 24, 1958, in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, to Patricia O’Brien (Hawley).

He is survived by his son, Michael O’Brien, and daughter Jessica (O’Brien) Butterer, grandsons Leo Butterer and Zealand Butterer, as well as his brothers, Richard O’Brien, Vance Hawley, Jeffrey Hawley and Brian Hawley.  He was preceded in death by his mother, and grandparents, Inez O’Brien and Leonard Van Ruth.

Randy grew up in Wisconsin Rapids, with his four brothers, as well as cousins Kevin, James, Kelly and Mark O’Brien.  Growing up, he was an avid player of games and sports.  He especially took pride in his abilities as a catcher in baseball, and idolized Yankees Catcher and Captain, Thurman Munson.  He graduated from Lincoln High School in 1976.  He met Pamela Tesch (Smith) at the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse, whom he would marry in February of 1982.  He first became a father in 1982 to Michael and then again in 1985 to Jessica.

Randy joined the Army in February of 1983, where he became a Tank Driver.  He served four years, and was honorably discharged in 1987.  He was very proud of his time spent in the service, and being a veteran was something that was a great source of satisfaction for him.  Randy then went on to work for the United States Postal Service for 25 years, primarily as a Mail Sorter, retiring in 2013.

Randy’s main passions and hobbies centered around sports.  Randy especially loved playing softball and bowling, and competed in leagues throughout his life.  As a passionate supporter of the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers, he also loved watching baseball and football games with his family and friends.  Randy was also an ardent fantasy sports player, and was the commissioner of many leagues, won many championships, and was always a fierce competitor.

Randy was a jokester, always trying to make people laugh, and left a mark on most of the people he came across.  He was the funniest man in the world, and if you didn’t believe that, all you had to do was ask him and he’d tell you.  His slapstick and “dad joke” sense of humor will be sorely missed by everyone that knew him.

There are no services scheduled at this time, but a cremation interment is being planned to take place in Wisconsin Rapids at a later date, where his ashes will be buried in a plot next to his mother.