James Oliver O'Neal

James Oliver O’Neal, of Lenoir, North Carolina and formerly of Kosse, TX., passed away at his home on Friday, March 18, 2022, at age 82.

Visitation will be held in the Groesbeck Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday, March 26, 2022, from 12:30 – 2:30 P.M.

Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Fort Parker Memorial Park Cemetery in Groesbeck, TX., with Pastor Jon Honea officiating.  

James was born in Kosse, TX. on July 21, 1939, to Buel Oliver O’Neal and Ella Mae (Cuvelier) O’Neal.  He graduated from Kosse High School in the Class of 1957, and after school was farming and ranching.  Through the years he took college courses in the areas of his interest, which included drafting, architectural, and electrical.

James went to work for the State prison system in Huntsville in electrical work, and was married and raising 2 children, while living near his work in Huntsville in the 60’s.   He went to work at Mexia State School as a supervisor of one of the children’s units, and then went back to work for the State prison system in the late 70’s and early 80’s in Rosharon. 

In 1977, James was united in marriage with Betty Lawson.  They loved to travel and camp in their RV, traveling to many parks all over the country.   He enjoyed spending time on the beaches in Texas and the Carolinas.

After retiring in 2007, James stayed busy on his own projects and some work for the public.   He was a “jack of all trades” including electrical projects and computers, and woodworking, where he made benches and many other projects.

After visiting North Carolina, he fell in love with the country and moved there in 2003, near the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was a beautiful place for his son and daughter to visit them and make trips sightseeing trips with them, and he and Betty also visited family back in Texas.

James was preceded in death by his parents; an infant sister, Peggy O’Neal; sister, Bernice Tatum; and brother-in-law, Wayne Wilson.

He is survived by his wife, Betty O’Neal of Lenoir, NC; son and daughter-in-law, James Michael and Cecilia O’Neal of Hewitt; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Donnie Sanders of Groesbeck; son, Jason O’Neal and wife Shannon of Lenoir, NC, and their children; and his stepchildren, Lisa and Deborah and their children.  His grandchildren are Heather and Cameron Judy of Evergreen, Colorado; Chad and Ashley O’Neal of Lorena, TX; Krystle and Raj Gandhi of Fort Worth; Rachel and Clantzy Ballard of Elm Mot; and Shelby Sanders of Fort Worth; and there are 7 great grandchildren.   Also surviving are his two brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Yvonne O’Neal of Thornton and Howard and Mabel O’Neal of Hallsburg; sister, Dorothy Wilson of Gilmer, and sister and brother-in-law, Mary Katherine and Lawrence Sims of Groesbeck; and numerous nieces and nephews.