Frank O'Brien

Frank J. O’Brien, age 71, died January 14th, 2019 at the Hope West Care Center in Grand Junction, Colorado following a long battle with kidney disease.

Frank was born November 28th, 1947 in Grand Junction, Colorado, to Ione and Alfred W. O’Brien.

Frank had a long career in sales, with his latest position being in the Mining Industry.

Frank was an active member and spiritual caregiver with the First Congregational United Church of Christ.

Frank's passion for Drag Racing became serious after Frank acquired a 1963 Chevrolet Impalla SS equipped with a 409 cu in dual quad developing 419 HP and a four-speed transmission. It was one of the muscle cars of the era, with Frank competing at the local Midway Drag Strip which was then located at an abandoned air strip south of the present airport.

Frank continued his love for racing, eventually owning and racing a AA/Top Fuel Funny Car.  Frank campaigned his "High Plains Drifter" Dodge Challenger Funny Car, later renamed the "Sno-Town Shaker".  A Donavan engine and a Mustang II body upgraded the Sno-Town Shaker to a car that the local race fans enjoyed immensely.  The rivalry between the local" Sno-Town Shaker" and the "Mountain Monza" of Clint Miller made the Drag Races at Whitewater Hill (Western Colorado Dragway) an exciting event for the fans.  In 1976 Frank won the NHRA Division 7 final at Bonneville Raceway in Salt Lake City with a best ET of 8.56 and was Utah's 1976 AA/FD State Funny Car Champion. Draglist honors Frank as #399 in their list of Fastest Funny Cars with an ET of 6.450 seconds at 220.00 MPH from a race in 1973.

Frank's most recent project was the Perea O'Brien Racing TF/D Rear Engine Dragster in which Frank was working on obtaining his NHRA a Driver's License.

Frank is survived by his son, Shawn Carmack, daughter, Jennifer (Brad) Himes, brother, Donald (Vivian), and three grandchildren, all of Grand Junction.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Brenda (O'Brien) Mills and wife, Cindy.

Memorial services will be held 11:00am on Tuesday January 22, 2019 at First Congregational United Church of Christ, 1425 N 5th St in Grand Junction.

Memorial contributions in Frank’s honor may be made to the First Congregational United Church of Christ or HopeWest.

Services have been entrusted to Browns Cremation and Funeral Services