BLYTHEWOOD - John Robert O'Neal Sr., 66, was a son of Lucy O'Neal Klepfer and the late James Wooten O'Neal Sr. Bobby had a happy childhood growing up in Ocilla, Ga. He was known for the loving pranks that he and his brother often played on their sister. Following graduation from high school, he attended Valdosta State College where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. While at Valdosta State College, John met Laura Resch, whom he later married and with whom he had two children.
Following graduation, John entered military service as a U.S. Navy Pilot. John served his country for five years' active duty, as well as additional service as a reserve officer. John was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, John discovered that he had a knack for sales. In fact, he was described as being able to "sell ice to a bartender at the North Pole." After stints in the moving industry and in beer sales, John returned to the world of aviation. He spent most of his career selling airplanes. For 32 years, John was a member of the Sales Department at Eagle Aviation in Columbia, from which he retired in September, 2011. Those who worked with John over the years speak of him with great respect, recalling all that he taught them. They speak in awe of the great patience he often exhibited and his "calm and reasoned approach to life."
John was an active member of the community in the Columbia area. He was a member of the Windermere Club, Blythewood, and a former member of the Rockbridge Club. John was a fan of the game of golf and he loved to play, as well as watch. He enjoyed many April days sitting on Number 16 at Augusta National Golf Club, sharing the game he loved with his children. A fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, he loved cheering on the Dawgs, much to the chagrin of his friends loyal to other great football institutions. His southern colloquialisms tended to find their way into conversations on either subject.
After losing his beloved Laura in 1997, John focused on his work and his golf, until about a year later, when he met his second love, Patricia. John and Pat were married in February, 1999, and enjoyed sharing their lives the last 13 years. Some of their fondest memories include travels to Venice, Italy, France, and Pat's home country of England.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia; daughter, Kym O'Neal Brophy and her husband, Tom Brophy, of Tulsa, Okla., and their children, Amelia and Olivia; son, John Robert "Skip" O'Neal Jr. and his wife, Sharlon O'Neal, of Arden, N.C., and their children, Katherine, Kelly and Patrick; stepdaughter, Susan Stark and her husband, Dareyl Stark, and her daughter, Kylie Beylotte; and stepson, Shawn Cooper. Also surviving are John's mother, Lucy O'Neal Klepfer of Tifton, Ga.; brother, James O'Neal and his wife, Kathy O'Neal, of Fitzgerald, Ga.; sister, Peggy O'Neal Woody and her husband, Paul Woody, of Sylvester, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published in The State on January 3, 2012
Following graduation, John entered military service as a U.S. Navy Pilot. John served his country for five years' active duty, as well as additional service as a reserve officer. John was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, John discovered that he had a knack for sales. In fact, he was described as being able to "sell ice to a bartender at the North Pole." After stints in the moving industry and in beer sales, John returned to the world of aviation. He spent most of his career selling airplanes. For 32 years, John was a member of the Sales Department at Eagle Aviation in Columbia, from which he retired in September, 2011. Those who worked with John over the years speak of him with great respect, recalling all that he taught them. They speak in awe of the great patience he often exhibited and his "calm and reasoned approach to life."
John was an active member of the community in the Columbia area. He was a member of the Windermere Club, Blythewood, and a former member of the Rockbridge Club. John was a fan of the game of golf and he loved to play, as well as watch. He enjoyed many April days sitting on Number 16 at Augusta National Golf Club, sharing the game he loved with his children. A fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, he loved cheering on the Dawgs, much to the chagrin of his friends loyal to other great football institutions. His southern colloquialisms tended to find their way into conversations on either subject.
After losing his beloved Laura in 1997, John focused on his work and his golf, until about a year later, when he met his second love, Patricia. John and Pat were married in February, 1999, and enjoyed sharing their lives the last 13 years. Some of their fondest memories include travels to Venice, Italy, France, and Pat's home country of England.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia; daughter, Kym O'Neal Brophy and her husband, Tom Brophy, of Tulsa, Okla., and their children, Amelia and Olivia; son, John Robert "Skip" O'Neal Jr. and his wife, Sharlon O'Neal, of Arden, N.C., and their children, Katherine, Kelly and Patrick; stepdaughter, Susan Stark and her husband, Dareyl Stark, and her daughter, Kylie Beylotte; and stepson, Shawn Cooper. Also surviving are John's mother, Lucy O'Neal Klepfer of Tifton, Ga.; brother, James O'Neal and his wife, Kathy O'Neal, of Fitzgerald, Ga.; sister, Peggy O'Neal Woody and her husband, Paul Woody, of Sylvester, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published in The State on January 3, 2012
BLYTHEWOOD - John Robert O'Neal Sr., 66, was a son of Lucy O'Neal Klepfer and the late James Wooten O'Neal Sr. Bobby had a happy childhood growing up in Ocilla, Ga. He was known for the loving pranks that he and his brother often played on their sister. Following graduation from high school, he attended Valdosta State College where he was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon. While at Valdosta State College, John met Laura Resch, whom he later married and with whom he had two children.
Following graduation, John entered military service as a U.S. Navy Pilot. John served his country for five years' active duty, as well as additional service as a reserve officer. John was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, John discovered that he had a knack for sales. In fact, he was described as being able to "sell ice to a bartender at the North Pole." After stints in the moving industry and in beer sales, John returned to the world of aviation. He spent most of his career selling airplanes. For 32 years, John was a member of the Sales Department at Eagle Aviation in Columbia, from which he retired in September, 2011. Those who worked with John over the years speak of him with great respect, recalling all that he taught them. They speak in awe of the great patience he often exhibited and his "calm and reasoned approach to life."
John was an active member of the community in the Columbia area. He was a member of the Windermere Club, Blythewood, and a former member of the Rockbridge Club. John was a fan of the game of golf and he loved to play, as well as watch. He enjoyed many April days sitting on Number 16 at Augusta National Golf Club, sharing the game he loved with his children. A fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, he loved cheering on the Dawgs, much to the chagrin of his friends loyal to other great football institutions. His southern colloquialisms tended to find their way into conversations on either subject.
After losing his beloved Laura in 1997, John focused on his work and his golf, until about a year later, when he met his second love, Patricia. John and Pat were married in February, 1999, and enjoyed sharing their lives the last 13 years. Some of their fondest memories include travels to Venice, Italy, France, and Pat's home country of England.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia; daughter, Kym O'Neal Brophy and her husband, Tom Brophy, of Tulsa, Okla., and their children, Amelia and Olivia; son, John Robert "Skip" O'Neal Jr. and his wife, Sharlon O'Neal, of Arden, N.C., and their children, Katherine, Kelly and Patrick; stepdaughter, Susan Stark and her husband, Dareyl Stark, and her daughter, Kylie Beylotte; and stepson, Shawn Cooper. Also surviving are John's mother, Lucy O'Neal Klepfer of Tifton, Ga.; brother, James O'Neal and his wife, Kathy O'Neal, of Fitzgerald, Ga.; sister, Peggy O'Neal Woody and her husband, Paul Woody, of Sylvester, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published in The State on January 3, 2012
Following graduation, John entered military service as a U.S. Navy Pilot. John served his country for five years' active duty, as well as additional service as a reserve officer. John was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant. Following his military service, John discovered that he had a knack for sales. In fact, he was described as being able to "sell ice to a bartender at the North Pole." After stints in the moving industry and in beer sales, John returned to the world of aviation. He spent most of his career selling airplanes. For 32 years, John was a member of the Sales Department at Eagle Aviation in Columbia, from which he retired in September, 2011. Those who worked with John over the years speak of him with great respect, recalling all that he taught them. They speak in awe of the great patience he often exhibited and his "calm and reasoned approach to life."
John was an active member of the community in the Columbia area. He was a member of the Windermere Club, Blythewood, and a former member of the Rockbridge Club. John was a fan of the game of golf and he loved to play, as well as watch. He enjoyed many April days sitting on Number 16 at Augusta National Golf Club, sharing the game he loved with his children. A fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, he loved cheering on the Dawgs, much to the chagrin of his friends loyal to other great football institutions. His southern colloquialisms tended to find their way into conversations on either subject.
After losing his beloved Laura in 1997, John focused on his work and his golf, until about a year later, when he met his second love, Patricia. John and Pat were married in February, 1999, and enjoyed sharing their lives the last 13 years. Some of their fondest memories include travels to Venice, Italy, France, and Pat's home country of England.
Surviving are his wife, Patricia; daughter, Kym O'Neal Brophy and her husband, Tom Brophy, of Tulsa, Okla., and their children, Amelia and Olivia; son, John Robert "Skip" O'Neal Jr. and his wife, Sharlon O'Neal, of Arden, N.C., and their children, Katherine, Kelly and Patrick; stepdaughter, Susan Stark and her husband, Dareyl Stark, and her daughter, Kylie Beylotte; and stepson, Shawn Cooper. Also surviving are John's mother, Lucy O'Neal Klepfer of Tifton, Ga.; brother, James O'Neal and his wife, Kathy O'Neal, of Fitzgerald, Ga.; sister, Peggy O'Neal Woody and her husband, Paul Woody, of Sylvester, Ga.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Published in The State on January 3, 2012
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