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O'Brien, Dr. David Martin

December 25, 1949 –
 February 12, 2019

Obituary

Dr. David Martin O’Brien, a beloved psychologist, father, husband, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away in Dallas, TX on Tuesday, February 12, 2019 after a life of love and service. David was born on Christmas Day, 1949, in Iowa City, IA. He had a happy childhood and adolescence with his parents and five siblings in Dubuque, IA, where he was quarterback of the football team and a varsity wrestler at Wahlert Catholic High School. A remarkably dependable person from his earliest years, he didn’t miss a single day of school from kindergarten through twelfth grade. In the fall of 1968, David packed up for Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA, a place he’d only seen in a brochure from his high school library. Much to his siblings’ amusement, he grew his hair long and became a hippie, once playing the guitar in front of 5,000 people to protest the Vietnam War. After graduating in 1972, he rode a motorcycle across Europe by himself, an adventure he talked about for the rest of his life. He worked a number of odd jobs throughout his youth – gravedigger for nuns, cement truck driver, leatherworker, waterbed salesman, bartender, and traveling researcher for a Stanford professor – but he found ultimate fulfillment in his career as a clinical psychologist. Earning his M.A. from International University in San Diego and Ph.D. from the University of Tennessee in 1983, David moved to Dallas, TX, where he held a thriving private practice for more than thirty years. He was especially dedicated to the mental wellbeing of adolescents and served as a consulting psychologist for Jesuit College Preparatory School and other high schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. His devotion to his clients was matched only by his deep love for his family. While working as a clinical therapist at St. Joseph Youth Center, a residential program for struggling teenagers, he met MerriLee Anderson, a therapist studying for her own Ph.D. in clinical psychology. They married in 1987, raised two daughters to adulthood, shared an office suite for two decades, and lovingly parted ways in 2011. David then rekindled a romance with his high school sweetheart, Nancy Nowlin, marrying her in Jackson Square in New Orleans, LA on May 16, 2014. They’d first met at a Friday night YMCA dance in 1966. He was a wonderful father and devoted husband who liked to spend his free time going on long bike rides, working crossword puzzles, playing golf, and cooking dinner for family and friends. David is survived by his wife, Nancy of Dallas, TX; his daughters, Shay of Brooklyn, NY and Bridget of Austin, TX; the mother of his children, MerriLee of Dallas, TX; five siblings, Kathy of Oak Park, IL, Steve (Alice) of Tahiti, Molly (Bill) of Minneapolis, MN, Sheila (Michael) of Oak Park, IL, and Meg (Tom) of Oak Park, IL; and many beloved nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Stephen Ambrose and Mrs. Marijo Martin O’Brien.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to either the Jesuit Memorial Fund at the Jesuit College Preparatory School of Dallas (12345 Inwood Road, 75244) or to Promise House in Dallas (224 W. Page Ave., 75208).

___________________________________________________________ A Signature Service under the direction of: Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Home 10116 E. Northwest Highway Dallas, Texas 75238 214-340-8008

    Langley Downs
    24 Feb 2019
    1:35am

    Dr. O’Brien helped me through the most difficult time of my life. He truly understood the simplicity and complexity of man made drama and calmly guided me through my own and others’ drama that seriously affected my well-being. He was unique and I am so glad that I was so lucky to have him in my life for 18 months after my husband’s sudden death. With Dr. O’Brien, I saw the glimmers that became light. May his smile light up the heavens

    Leslie Folz
    4 Mar 2019
    8:38am

    I met David when I first came to Bishop Dunne 17 years ago. David came to campus once a month to consult with the Guidance department. We also referred students in need to him. David not only counseled students but also would take the time to check up on the staff. David also gave me support through my own life changes. He often spoke about his two daughters with much pride. He will be missed here.

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"Nothing prepares you for the grief you go through when losing a child. I called this funeral home at 2:00 am broken and could barely talk. The amount of compassion and empathy they showed me immediately let me know I found the right place to cremate my son. I cannot thank them enough for their professionalism, SINCERE concern, and commitment to making sure my son was honored in the most respectful way. I hope this Funeral home values her as much as my family and I do."
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Elledge Family
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"On behalf of my family, I wanted you to know how much we appreciate your handling of my husband's final arrangements. Wayne Baxter assisted & guided us through the entire process with such care & compassion. Don't know what we would have done without him! Sincerely, Colleen Elledge"
The Peterson Family
The Peterson FamilyYelp! Review - Northwest Highway 5-Stars
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"I can’t say enough about how helpful and professional Dusty Martin, the funeral director at the Aria Cremation location on NW Highway has been. From my initial call, he was kind and informative. My friend died at home while on hospice and she was picked up in about an hour after receiving the call from the hospice nurse. The person who arrived to pick her up was also very professional/respectful and allowed us to take as much time with her as we wished. When I met with Dusty the next day about arrangements, he explained the process and options available without being pushy or trying to “sell” extras. Throughout the process, he kept me informed and, for example, was careful to be certain I understood the cost of the obituary I wanted and offered some options for reducing that cost if I wished. When I stopped by for another reason and started talking about some of the problems I was having with the pictures and media I hoped to use at a memorial lunch I was planning, he not only listened patiently but offered technology advice and let me use his personal media player. I have had experience arranging cremations for four others using two other local companies, and this experience with Dusty at Aria has been by far the best one I have had."
Paula Barnes
Paula BarnesGoogle Review
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"My Daddy’s service and our family experience at Aria Northwest Highway was truly blessed. Funeral Director Dustin Martin is the kind of person that you would like to see on a more regular basis – but in his industry – you hope to not see him that often. That being said – THANK YOU DUSTIN for your unending kindness, compassion and friendship through the process. Meeting you and discussing Dallas History, Find A Grave and my Dad’s lifelong contributions to the great City of Dallas was simply wonderful! In memory of my dad James A. Dodd, Sr. – I want to personally thank you and let you know that you made everything better in that moment. Your calling to “Be There” is spot on. Aria has a one in a million guy in you! Bling Blinky of TEXAS Shout Out: God Bless You!!"
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