James Richard O'Neil, born on August 18th, 1940 and was raised in Oil City, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest child born to Herbert O'Neil and Golda McFate O'Neil.
He was preceded in death by his parents Herbert and Golda of Oil City, PA., His sister Donna Wygant of Oil City, PA, brother Ron O'Neil of Allen, Texas, granddaughter Rachelle O'Neil Tolleson of Farmersville, TX and the love of his life, our beautiful mother, Vivian Vicky Ambriati O'Neil of Farmersville, TX.
Jim, leaves behind three sons, Mark, Robert and Troy. He also leaves his daughter-in-law Pam O'Neil of Farmersville TX., Grandchildren Austin O'Neil of Farmersville, TX and Taylor O'Neil of Lubbock, Tx., Great- granddaughter Avery O'Neil Tolleson of Farmersville, TX., and family members David Wilson of Allen, Tx., as well as Char and Robert Clark and their daughter Jayme Goodwin of Rowlett, Tx. plus many other close family members and life long friends.
James was a very proud Army Veteran and part of the 25th Infantry Division as an MP Officer at Schofield Army Base in Hawaii. During his service years he met the love of his life, our mother Vivian, while on the beach of Staten Island. Our parents very quickly became inseparable and were married on November 4th, 1961 when they began their lifelong journey of love in Syracuse, NY. Jim and Vivian (or Vicky as many called her) soon began a family and welcomed their three sons.
James O'Neil was a very loving, loyal, dedicated, hard working family man who at times worked three jobs to be sure we had everything we needed and wanted. He also had a great sense of humor and loved telling jokes, most of which can't be repeated here! But he enjoyed making people laugh and was always the life of the party wherever he was.
While living in Syracuse, NY, he was a member of the NY State carpenter's Union until 1977 when we picked up and moved to Texas. He was a Master Carpenter and Contractor who remodeled many homes and businesses around Plano, Texas and the surrounding areas. He was a jack-of-all-trades who enjoyed tinkering with and fixing cars, electronics and just about everything.
Along with the help of several family members, they built their beautiful country home on 6 acres here in Farmersville where he and his wife spent 31 happy years making many memories.
We'd like to share an Excerpt from a letter dad wrote to mom while away in the military dated December 11, 1961: "I'm crazy in love with you. The best thing I ever did in my life was marrying you. I'll never regret it as long as I live, and hope with all my heart that I can make you happy."
He kept his word from 1961 and spent 53 years happily married to the love of his life.
Graveside services will be at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Farmersville at 10:00 a.m. Saturday September 19, 2015 with Dr. Bart Barber officiating.