Arvel E. O'Brien, Jr.

Mr. Arvel E. O’Brien, Jr., age 80, husband of Nancy O’Brien, and a resident of Columbia, passed away on Thursday morning, October 12, 2023, at the Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, at 2:00 PM at Heritage Funeral Home with Mike Dodrill officiating. He will be laid to rest in Maury Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by the Herbert Griffin American Legion Post 19. A visitation will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 5:00 – 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Arvel was born on October 2, 1943, in Birmingham, Alabama, to the late Arvel E. O’Brien, Sr., and the late Mary Rose Lawrence O’Brien. On February 20, 1971, he married Nancy Vick, sharing a loving partnership that lasted over five decades. Arvel dedicated twenty-one years of his life to serving his country in the United States Air Force before retiring. He then embarked on a thirteen-year career with the United States Postal Service and an additional eight and a half years with Ford Motor Credit.

An extraordinary husband and father, Arvel was affectionately known as "daddy." He had a remarkable sense of humor, was a gifted joke-teller, and had a talent for brightening the spirits of those around him. He had a passion for reading and traveling and was renowned for his poetry-writing abilities. Arvel was a devout Christian who held a deep love for Jesus and was devoted to studying the End Time Prophecy.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Laura (Peyton) Mills of Murfreesboro, TN, David (Christina) O’Brien of Holladay, TN, brother, Larry (Rita) O’Brien of Pleasant Grove, AL, sister, Connie Sluder of Trussville, AL, grandchildren, Dayton Kelley, Dylan Mills, daughter by heart, Leslie Mills, and grandchildren by heart, D.J. Duffee and Knox Mills.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his niece, Lori O’Brien.

Pallbearers will be David O’Brien, Peyton Mills, Dayton Kelley, Duane Rhehm, Dustin Peden, and Tommy Sluder. Honorary pallbearers will include the Nashville East Station Post Office Breakfast Club.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Home Instead of Franklin, the staff of Gentiva Hospice, and the staff of Tennessee State Veterans Home in Murfreesboro for their exceptional care and support.

Memorial donations may be made to the Disabled American Veterans Chapter #22, 1020 Maury County Park Dr, Columbia, TN 38401.