Dan O'Hearn Obituary

Dan Patrick O'Hearn passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Houston, TX on Monday July 14, 2025. He was 86.

Dan had just returned home two days before from a family celebration in Galveston, Texas attended by his daughters, all his grandchildren, extended family, and friends. He ate well, told stories, laughed a lot, played gin, and sat by the pool. "Grampa Dan" shared with many that he was having a wonderful time.

Dan was born in 1938 in Dickinson, North Dakota, the only son of Edward "Eddie" and Nora (Connell) O'Hearn. He grew up in Dickinson with his parents and three sisters Kathleen "Kay," Margorie "Marge" and Sharon.

He attended college at Tufts University in Boston, MA from the patronage of his uncle Charles O'Hearn and Aunt Margaret who lived there. Eddie had paid for Margaret's nursing education years before and Charlie was returning the favor for Dan. After two years Dan realized that mechanical engineering was not for him and returned to Dickinson. He was drafted into the Army and served as a company Sergeant in Alaksa. He referred to this period as the time President Kennedy asked him to work for the government.

After the Army he completed his education in Fargo and graduated from North Dakota State University with a degree in economics. At NDSU he met and married Mary O'Keefe and their first daughter Liz was born.

Dan and Mary returned to Dickinson where their second daughter Kate was born. Dan, a naturally gifted salesman, was an entrepreneur and in the 70's owned O'Hearn's Menswear in the BigSky shopping mall. He was known for over-the-top, crowd-pleasing promotions including a ping pong ball drop from a hovering helicopter and bringing in several live llamas for kids to ride in the parking lot. In the summers, he employed many Foster and Swett nieces and nephews to man a fireworks stand.

Dan was charming, had a great sense of humor and an infectious laugh. In a letter to his grandson Connell, Dan shared that he believed the secret to a long life was keeping a positive attitude, especially in the face of hardship. A lesson he learned from his "Grampa Dan," Dan Connell.

He loved good food and entertaining. Dan was an original "foodie" before that was a word. He was adventurous, loved to try new dishes and cuisines and enjoyed dining at restaurants with his family. For many years Dan and Mary hosted events and huge parties attended by hundreds. On hunting trips with his friends to the Connell ranch near Medora, he was often designated "the chef" for the week and would serve up gourmet meals for the hunting party. Feasting on oysters Rockefeller, escargot, or shrimp cocktail was not unusual in an original log cabin near the Little Missouri River where they based their camp. And there was the memorable time Dan ordered lobsters from Maine, that arrived "live" and needed wrangling in the kitchen.

After many years and the death of his second wife Katheryn "Kathy" Kirby, Dan made his way to Houston to be closer to his daughters and family, where many happy memories and family gatherings were created and shared.

Dan is survived by his sister Marge Swett (Loveland, CO), his daughters Liz (Kevin) Rowe (Philadelphia), Kate (Ben) Crawford (Dallas), his first wife Mary Okeefe (Galveston), and Mary's daughter Heather Pinkerton (Paul) Bowman (Austin). His grandchildren Connell (Erin) Crawford (Houston); Oliver, Ava and Miles Crawford (Dallas); Mary's grandchildren Madrienne and Wroxton Bowman (Austin); and many beloved Foster, Swett and Hamann nieces and nephews. Dan was preceded in death by his parents Eddie and Nora, his second wife Kathy Kirby, and his sisters Kay Foster, and Sharon Hamann. His presence will be greatly missed.