Jan. 26, 1936 – Dec. 26, 2016

“Christ within me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in the hearts of all who love me, Christ in the mouth of every friend and stranger.” Lorica of St. Patrick.
BATON ROUGE — A Mass for James Francis O’Beirne, 80, who died Monday, Dec. 26, 2016, at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center surrounded by his loving family, will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, 11441 Goodwood Boulevard, with the Rev. Joshua Johnson officiating.  
A Christian burial will follow at Greenoaks Memorial Park under the direction of Rabenhorst Funeral Home in Baton Rouge.
James Francis O’Beirne was born Jan. 26, 1936, in White Plains, N.Y., to Irish immigrants Michael Patrick and Marcella Healion O’Beirne.
As one of 10 children, James was raised in Natchez where he attended Cathedral High School and graduated from St. Ben’s Seminary in St. Benedict, La. He served in the U.S. Army in Hawaii and went on to receive his bachelor of science degree from Mississippi Southern and met the love of his life, Sybil “Jean” Atchley.
After marrying Jean, he received his master of business administration degree from Louisiana State University. James went on to work at Colonial Sugar and then Dow Chemical Company where he retired as manager of the purchasing department. After retiring, James earned his certified financial planner designation and became the chief compliance officer for Commonwealth advisors Inc.
James led a life of quiet simplicity with the utmost moral and uncompromising character. He will be remembered as a gentle and kind man with a darling sense of humor. He considered his faith and family his greatest legacies. We will always cherish the memories and carry on his traditions of building “Cooky Houses” after Thanksgiving, celebrating his beloved Ireland at the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and gathering to cheer on the LSU Tigers and the New Orleans Saints.
James was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Alice O’Beirne; and one nephew, Barry Williams.
Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jean O’Beirne; three daughters, Jenny Morales and husband, Walter, Jackie Pastorek and husband, John, and Janelle Johnson and husband, Gary; he was blessed with the best gifts ever given to him, seven grandchildren, Ryan James Morales, Sarah Morales Vitenas and husband, Chris, Michael Stewart Morales, Matthew Joseph Morales, Emma O’Beirne Johnson, Olivia Rose Johnson and Benjamin Lewis Johnson; one great-grandchild, Beau Andrew Collins, who he considered the twinkle and sparkle in his bright blue eyes; eight siblings, Mary Williams, Danny O’Beirne and wife, Virginia, Tommy O’Beirne and wife, Pokey, all of Natchez, Eileen Clayton, Patsy Rogers and Noreen Bozeman, all of Madison, Margaret Williams of Jackson and Michael O’Beirne and wife, Ingeborg, of Tuebingen, Germany; two brothers-in-law, Edward Atchley and wife, Kimberly, of Dallas and Johnny Atchley of Biloxi; and more than 30 nieces and nephews.
Special thanks from James’ family to Dr. Gerald Calegan and the Neurology Unit at OLOL and his caregivers, Marilyn Daigle, Carrie McBride and Melissa Wascom.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to one of the following organizations that were close to James’ heart: Friends of Batahola, P.O. Box 36159, Cincinnati, OH 45236, National Parkinson Foundation, 200 SE First St., Suite 800, Miami, FL 33131 or St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. Box 127, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.