John O'Neal

While I was away for the long holiday weekend, I was saddened to learn of the passing of one of the real pillars of Kansas City's Irish community, John O'Neal. John has been at the center of the Irish scene here for so long it's difficult to imagine it without him and that community is lessened immeasurably for his loss. In our own little corner of the world, John had been a stalwart volunteer for Irish Fest and he and his wife Ethel had been named Mr. and Mrs. Irish Fest just last year. We will deeply miss a giant of a man and a good friend.

All of us at the Kansas City Irish Fest offer our sincere condolences to Ethel, John II, Leigh and all the O'Neal family. Information on services is contained in the obituary below. Safe home, John.

Mr. John Thomas O'Neal was born at St. John's Hospital in Joplin, Mo., on Sept. 8, 1948, to Tom "Bud" Cecil O'Neal and Nina Irene Roland O'Neal who preceded him in death. John married Ethel Pipes O'Neal on April 18, 1970. John and Ethel resided in Overland Park, Kan. John died at home surrounded by his family and close friends on July 2, 2010, after a long battle with cancer. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and friend. John was proud to be a member of Bud Park Christian Church's Boy Scout Troop 165 where he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Northeast High School in Kansas City, Mo., in 1966 and went on to earn a degree in Economics from UMKC in 1970. He also earned his MBA at UMKC in 1976 while going to school at night and working for the Federal Reserve. John started working at DST Systems, Inc. in the Portfolio Accounting Department in 1977 and continued working there for the rest of his life. He always felt lucky that he met his friend, and future boss at DST, Tom McDonnell, at Army Officer Candidate School. John continued to be an active member in the MO National Guard where he received many honors including The Army Commendation Medal in 1983. He retired from the National Guard with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. John enjoyed being active in the Kansas City community and many Irish American organizations. He served as a board member for the KC Sports Commission and Seton Center and enjoyed being an honorary coach for the annual NAIA Men's Basketball Tournament. He was a former president of the Celtic Fringe and the Fr. Bernard Donnelly Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Kansas. He was also a volunteer for the Kansas City St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee, Children for Peace and The KC Irish Festival. For many years, John sang the National Anthem and the Irish National Anthem in English and Gaelic to kick-off The St. Patrick's Day Parade. He also served on the board of The Kansas City Irish Museum and in March 2010 they honored John with the Chieftain award in recognition for his hard work and dedication to the Irish Community. In 2010, John's brother Hibernians named him Irish Man of the Year. Several years ago John also received the Freedom for All Ireland Award from the Padraig Pearse Division of AOH KCMO to recognize his skills as an organizer and consensus builder in the KC Irish Community. Irish American Magazine listed John as one of the top 50 Irish American business leaders in July 2008. He is survived by his wife, Ethel; son, John Thomas O'Neal II; daughter, Leigh Ann O'Neal Wood; daughter-in-law, Sheila Curry O'Neal; son-in-law, Garrett Wood; grandchildren, Emma O'Neal, Johnny O'Neal, and Eleanor Wood; sister, Sandy O'Neal Brown and brother-in- law, Larry Brown. Several aunts and uncles, sisters-in-law, cousins, and many nieces and nephews survive him. The visitation and rosary will be from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday July 6, at The Church of the Nativity, 3800 West 119th Street, Leawood, Kan. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, at Nativity with burial to follow at the Johnson County Memorial Gardens, 11200 Metcalf. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Children's Mercy Hospital's Cancer Center in honor of John's granddaughter, Eleanor, who is being treated for leukemia, or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.johnsoncountychapel.com Arrangements: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Johnson County Chapel, (913) 451-1860.