Former students say the longtime Clay County educator strengthened their confidence, guided their careers and helped shape the people they became.
CLAY COUNTY, Fla. — Lauren Brewer tried at least six times to write John O’Brian a thank-you message for the impact he had on her life. Each attempt ended with the same problem: She could not find words that felt sufficient.
“I’ve sat down to write him an email to tell him how inspirational he was to me, and never sent it because I couldn’t find the right words,” Brewer said.
Brewer is now one of many former students reflecting on the longtime Clay County educator whose influence extended far beyond his classroom.
O’Brian, the principal of Paterson Elementary School, died unexpectedly Monday, Nov. 9, at age 60. He spent 28 years with Clay County District Schools, including the past 12 as Paterson’s principal.
Earlier in his career at Ridgeview High School, where he taught math and coached, students often knew him as “Coach OB.”
For Brewer, O’Brian’s classroom was a place where a teacher recognized her potential before she recognized it in herself.
“I’ll just never forget the confidence he had in me as a math student, even when I didn’t have confidence in me as a math student,” she said.
His classes were demanding, Brewer said, but his high expectations were matched by his belief that students could reach them.
Brewer is now an associate professor of psychology at Stephen F. Austin State University in Texas. She has carried one of O’Brian’s lessons into her own teaching: Practice until you understand the material, rather than stopping simply because an assignment is finished.
“Coach O’Brian was a foundational person in my life,” she said.
A coach, teacher and mentor
Former classmate Jason Human remembers O’Brian as a presence on the football field who combined discipline with genuine care.
“His ability to be almost military-like, but also father-like at the same time would probably be my favorite memory from football,” Human said.
When Human needed a mentor for his senior project, he turned to Coach OB. Their work on personal finance helped point Human toward his future career.
“So I studied finance at UCF and still actively in the field today, 20 plus years later,” Human said.
Human said O’Brian’s influence reached beyond his professional life and helped shape the family life he built.
“It’s probably hard to quantify how many lives he’s touched over the years, but he touched mine in a real special way,” he said.
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Human credits O’Brian with helping establish the foundation for where he and his family are today, including the life he shares with his two daughters.
A career serving students
According to his obituary, O’Brian served as assistant principal at Green Cove Junior High School, vice principal and principal at Middleburg High School, and principal at Paterson Elementary. He also taught mathematics as an adjunct instructor at Florida State College at Jacksonville.
Born Aug. 23, 1966, in Omaha, Nebraska, O’Brian graduated from Baldwin High School with a scholarship to play college baseball.
He earned an associate degree from Florida State College at Jacksonville in 1988, a bachelor’s degree in mathematics education from the University of North Florida in 1992, and a master’s degree in administration and supervision from Florida A&M University in 1998.
At Paterson, his care for the school was evident in small, everyday gestures. He mowed the grounds himself because he enjoyed it, and when students recognized him at the salon, he always made a point of greeting them.
Henry Sullivan, a custodian who worked alongside O’Brian at Paterson, remembered both his kindness and the respect he commanded.
“He was a kind guy, you know, had a lot of respect for him,” Sullivan said.
A memorial now marks O’Brian’s parking space at the school as former students, families and colleagues gather to share memories of his influence.
Support for the Paterson community
Clay County District Schools described O’Brian’s death as “a tremendous loss for our district,” especially for the students and employees who knew and worked with him.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with his family, friends, and the entire school community during this difficult time,” the district said in a statement.
The district did not release additional details about his death, citing respect for his family’s privacy.
In a Monday message to Paterson families, Assistant Principal Lori Stokes said the school wanted parents to have time to talk with their children at home. Grief counselors were available on campus beginning Tuesday to support students and staff.
O’Brian is survived by his daughter, Bailey Agner, and her husband, Dylan; his brother, Dink O’Brian, and his wife, Denise; his sister, Lynn Edwards; and many nieces and nephews.
His memorial service was scheduled for 4 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, at Hibernia Baptist Church in Fleming Island.
For Brewer, the loss carries regret over the email she never sent, along with comfort in knowing that other students felt the same encouragement she experienced.
“He was a treasure and he’s gone too soon,” she said. “I do live with a peace knowing that if he was that influential for me early in his career, that I can’t even begin to think about the impact in Clay County that he’s had.”
