Mr. John Robert O'Neal, Sr.
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Mr. John Robert O'Neal, Sr.

  • September 16, 1945 - December 31, 2011
  • Blythewood, South Carolina
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“Sorry to hear of John. death. I know he suffered a lot. Praying for family Rosemary Thompson ( Daniel) ”
1 of 38 | Posted by: rosemary thompson - GA

“God rest his soul and give his family strength and comfort. ”
2 of 38 | Posted by: Paul and Gundi Cheshier - OR

“Another smiling face to greet us when we meet again. Prayers for all of his loved ones. ”
3 of 38 | Posted by: Harley M. Cheshier - Winter Haven, FL

“So sorry to hear about Bobby. He was a lot of fun. He and I grew up a block or so from each other in Ocilla. ”
4 of 38 | Posted by: Gail (Walters) Hansen - Moultrie, GA

“I (along with many others in the Aircraft Business) owe so much to your father and husband. When I went by to see him Thursday before he passed, I...Read More » ”
5 of 38 | Posted by: Lee & Robin Thomas & family - SC

“My heart is heavy with the news of Bobby's passing. Family, I pray that God will surround you with His glorious LOVE to fill the void of Bobby's...Read More » ”
6 of 38 | Posted by: Janice Hudson Carlisle - Ocilla, GA

“Hi Pat, Sorry I have not had the pleasure of meeting you. John sold me 2 Citations several yeasr ago and we became friends, and it was an honor to...Read More » ”
7 of 38 | Posted by: Mark Oberman - Camarillo, CA

“Dear Pat, We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Know that you, John, and your family are in our prayers. Fondly, Mary Ellen and Tom ”
8 of 38 | Posted by: Mary Ellen Strange - Lake Wales, FL

“Kym, I am so sory to hear about your Dad. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Tom and family. ”
9 of 38 | Posted by: Peggy McKnight - Huntsville, TX

“What fond memories we have of John! How sad we were to hear that he was gone. Our prayers to you all! Rest in peace John. ”
10 of 38 | Posted by: Bill & Liat Westerman - Smyrna, GA

“While I never had the pleasure of meeting John, it is always sad to read of the loss of a SigEp Brother. The SigEp Patriots Project pledges that...Read More » ”
11 of 38 | Posted by: Ed Jones - Washington, DC

“Have known John for about 30 years the aviation world will miss him as I will. Used to tease him about being from such a small town. He was one of a...Read More » ”
12 of 38 | Posted by: George Hitt - Statesboro, GA

“You will be sorely missed, my friend ”
13 of 38 | Posted by: Jim Fullerton - Wichita, KS

“John: Fond memories being in the Cessna family oh so many years ago. You are in my heart friend. Mike ”
14 of 38 | Posted by: Mike Lea - Spring, TX

“Rest in peace my friend. This world will miss you! ”
15 of 38 | Posted by: Ronald O. Milam - Temecula, CA

“Dearest Kym and Family, Please accept our deepest sympathies. I know how much you will miss your Daddy. The stories you have spoken of him speak...Read More » ”
16 of 38 | Posted by: Jim and Tia Kendall - Tulsa, OK

“John was one of the "good guys" in the world of aircraft sales. It was always a pleasure talking with, and working with, John. He will be greatly...Read More » ”
17 of 38 | Posted by: Corky Lindstrom - Winston-Salme, NC

“Pat and Family, we are sorry to hear of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time . May John be in peace...Read More » ”
18 of 38 | Posted by: Ann and Joey Dedman - Blythewood, SC

“We will miss all of the fun conversations about personal and business situations. John always had a willingness to listen and give helpful advice.....Read More » ”
19 of 38 | Posted by: Jerry Christian - Memphis, TN

“Pat, Skip, Kim, and family, My thoughts and prayers are with you at this special time. I am going to miss his knowledge of our industry, his...Read More » ”
20 of 38 | Posted by: Dennis Dabbs - Chapin, SC

“John will be greatly missed. He hired many of us at a young age at Eagle Aviation and mentored us professionally and personally. We all loved his ...Read More » ”
21 of 38 | Posted by: Amy Brasington - Blythewood, SC

“You're leadership and humor will be sorely missed. God speed. ”
22 of 38 | Posted by: Ralph Lacomba - West Columbia, SC

“John was more than a friend, neighbor and fellow golfer, he was a shipmate. He will be sorely missed, but not forgotten. ”
23 of 38 | Posted by: Jerry and Cathy Anderson - SC

“Our Hearts and Prayers are with the entire family during this difficult time. ”
24 of 38 | Posted by: Jenny Herman - Broken Arrow, OK

“My sympathy goes to John's family. He was a class act and a good shipmate. Ken ”
25 of 38 | Posted by: Ken McCraw - Austin, TX

“To a great Friend, and Neighbor, Farewell. ”
26 of 38 | Posted by: Margie & Bernie Randolph - SC

“The business aviation industry lost a true professional ”
27 of 38 | Posted by: Bruce Fullerton - Miami, FL

“To Pat and the rest of John's family: You truly have my deepest sympathy for the passing of "Grumpy"-- one of the finest individuals I have known....Read More » ”
28 of 38 | Posted by: John Kirkham - St. Louis, MO

“Dear John, Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family during this time. May God comfort you all with His loving arms. Jay and Libby ”
29 of 38 | Posted by: Libby Kennedy - Ringgold , GA

“Pat, I am privileged to have gotten to know you & John. My deepest sympathies to you & his children. ”
30 of 38 | Posted by: Anne Kleine - Blythewood, SC

“Rest in peace, my friend. I'll miss you! ”
31 of 38 | Posted by: Nick Mallos - Blythewood, SC

“Dear Pat, I spent many happy hours in John's company when he visited the UK. I will miss his golfing skill, his political insight but, most of all,...Read More » ”
32 of 38 | Posted by: Richard Godfrey - Fittleworth, UK

“John, we send our sincere sympathy to you, Sharlon, and your precious children. We hope you receive some comfort knowing that others care about you...Read More » ”
33 of 38 | Posted by: Jane Harvey - Loris, SC - Friend

“Kym, our prayers go out to you and your family during this time. We love you. ”
34 of 38 | Posted by: Charles-Brenda Sears - Queen City, TX

“I was a travel agent with American Intl Travel that handled travel arrangements for John while at Eagle Aviation. It was a pleasure to work with him...Read More » ”
35 of 38 | Posted by: Mark Moore - Lexington, SC

“To Kym and family: Our thoughts and prayers are with you. XOXO Jackie ”
36 of 38 | Posted by: Jackie Flaherty

“John and Sharlon, It is with great sorry that we hear of the passing of your Dad. Our prayers go out to you in this your time of need.Dad's are...Read More » ”
37 of 38 | Posted by: Roy and Barbara Barnette - NC

“The staff of Dunbar Funeral Home extends deepest sympathy to the family of Mr. John Robert O'Neal, Sr. ”
38 of 38 | Posted by: Jessica P. Kline


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A memorial service for John Robert O'Neal Sr., 66, will be held 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 4, 2012, at Trinity United Methodist Church, Blythewood. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 3, 2012, at Dunbar Funeral Home, Devine Street Chapel. Burial will be private.
Mr. O'Neal died Saturday, December 31, 2011. Born in Pelham, Ga., he was the 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 have 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.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society, 128 Stone Mark Lane, Columbia SC 29210.