Thomas Riley O'Neal

Thomas Riley O’Neal, Beloved Husband, Father, Brother, Brother in-law, Uncle and Great Friend passed away peacefully at the age of 78 on October 8th, 2024, at Baptist South Hospital after a short battle with Lung & Brain Cancer. His wife Maggie and son Kevin and some Dear Friends were by his side. 

Thomas was born in Louisville, KY to Thelma & Scott O’Neal. Thomas was a proud Vietnam Veteran serving his Country in the U.S. Army. 

He received several Medals to include two bronze service stars. He had many letters written to his family by Colonel’s as an outstanding soldier of the command.

 Thomas was very blessed, he worked for General Motors for 31 years starting in Louisville, KY then moving to Atlanta, Ga and Jacksonville, FL where he retired at the age of 48. He was able to enjoy the next 30 years of his retirement.

 His passion was bass fishing on the St. John’s River. He and his sister Sharron fished & fished and had so many fishing stories to share. They would spend hours preparing the day before to ensure the new line was on the reels and they had a variety of lures on hand they left at dark to get to the boat ramp and would fish until late afternoon on the St John’s River. They agreed they will meet again someday at Rodman Damn for one last trip. He enjoyed it when his nephews were young and came to Florida. They were able to go fishing for hours and enjoy their time together with their Uncle in Florida learning all the ins and outs of fishing. Those young men still fish to this day and participate in many bass fishing tournaments.

 Thomas continued to keep in touch with many of his original classmates after his graduation in 1964. Either returning for a class reunion in Charlestown, Indiana or via email or phone calls. 

 Thomas was extremely close to his two older sisters Sharron & Peggy “Annie” that both live in Sellersburg, Indiana. They would chat weekly for hours over family, fishing of course and reminiscing about things they did when they were kids to current events. Peggy recalls when Thomas and she were young and would get off of the school bus especially on cold/snowy days. They lived down a long curvy road on the Ohio River. The bus could not travel down the hill, or it would not be able to make it back to the top. They got off the bus at the main road about a mile to their home. She remembers Thomas would run like the wind to get home and he would turn around and wave to his sister as she was still coming a little slower carrying all her heavy schoolbooks. We laughed at this story today. 

 He had a heart of gold and found the good in people and things. During his cancer treatments he made new friends along the way and shared some wonderful stories together. He was very creative and could fix and repair anything of course with the many uses of Tie-Strapse or Velcro. We joked about that many times.

 Thomas was a caring, kind and thoughtful gentleman, he always put others before himself. He never met a stranger. He kept an immaculate home and yard. He would be outside, and neighbors would stop to chat while walking with their dogs to say Hello.

 Thomas was a wonderful Dad to his Son, Kevin. He would always tell people about his baby boy knowing he was a wonderful grown man, but he always referred to him as his baby boy. He was extremely proud of him and all of his accomplishments.

 Thomas was an amazing husband. He was kind, considerate, loving at all times always leaving funny little notes about the house. He laughed all the time and laughter helped him get through some rough days with his cancer. He enjoyed the life he lived, and time spent together each day, Yes, hard to believe but 43 wonderful years together. Along with our Dogs. He is missed every minute of each and every day. The memories and pictures we shared will be with us all for a Lifetime. His other passion was to rescue Dogs, we rescued many Shelties/Collies over the years, so travels were limited to road trips, which we loved. The dogs traveled everywhere we went. We traveled each year to the Mountains for a few weeks to relax and enjoy time together. The Dogs loved to ride and enjoyed their time with us as well.

 We want to thank so many people at both Cancer Specialists of North Florida at Baptist South and Southpoint locations along with M D Anderson Cancer Center at Baptist South location. They were so kind in guiding Thomas through his Chemotherapy and Radiation, doing all they could to help him beat his Cancer. The Doctor’s and Nurse’s at Baptist South treated him with such passion and care until his last breath.

 He is survived by his Loving Wife, Maggie together for 43 years, Jacksonville, FL; His Son, Kevin Lee O’Neal, Spartanburg, SC; His sister, Sharron Weas, Sellersburg, IN; His Sister, Peggy “Annie” & Brother-in-Law Freddie Sierota of Sellersburg, IN; Two Granddaughters, Kendal & Kadence O’Neal, both of North Carolina; Nephews, Jeffrey (Jane) Sierota Henryville, IN, Timothy (Kimra) Sierota, Sellersburg, IN, Jeremy (Kim) Sierota, Memphis, IN; Along with many Great nieces and nephews. Also, Many Many Wonderful Dear Friends and his beloved Sheltie, Ella Riley

 A small gathering of Friends & Neighbors for a Celebration of Life will be November 9th, 2024, at our home in Jacksonville, FL Thomas will be laid to rest at Lebanon National Cemetery 20 Highway 208 Lebanon, KY 40033 on April 14th, 2025, where Family & Friends will gather 

 With the many dogs Thomas rescued over the years, we wish for these beautiful animals to really live a wonderful life like they have never known. Just LOVE is all they need. If you wish to make a donation to help future animals your donation is greatly appreciated.  Thank you!

 Please send to: Collie Rescue of the Carolinas P.O. Box 1313 Kernersville, NC 27285 EIN: 03-0384586

I would like to donate in Memory of: Thomas R. O’Neal 9201 Rosewater Lane, Jacksonville, FL 32256 Attn: Ms. Jean