Charles “Charlie” O’Neal – obituary
Sandy resident, Charlie O’Neal died on Saturday, December 24, 2011. He was 85.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, December 29, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints located on Bluff Road in Sandy. A viewing will be held prior to the service starting at 10:00 a.m. in the Relief Society Room. Burial and the dedication of the grave will be held at Willamette National Cemetery on Friday, December 30, 2011 at 10:00 a.m.
Charles Benjamin O’Neal was born on October 13, 1926, the youngest of 8 children in Conyers, Georgia to Edgar and Carrie (Hollingsworth) O’Neal. Charlie was raised and received his schooling in Conyers. Shortly after graduating from high school, he went to Vallejo, California and worked in the Navy ships yards. He later entered in the U.S. Army in 1944 and served during WWII and Korea. Charlie was honorably discharged as Corporal in 1953. Charlie pursued his education at the University of San Francisco and received his Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
On July 3, 1953, Charlie was united in marriage to Jeanne Rowley in Vallejo, California. They made their home in Vallejo where they began their family and Charlie began his career in marketing with Yuba Manufacturing Company as the director of marketing. He later went to work for Fluor Corporation in Southern California. In 1970, Charlie left the corporate world and became a real estate broker and was a developer. In 1991, Charlie and Jeanne came to Oregon and became the owner and operators of The Woodsman Country Lodge in Crescent. At the age of 78, Charlie officially retired, sold the Lodge and he and Jeanne moved to Sandy to be near their family.
Charlie had a servant’s heart and was actively involved and loved serving at his Church. He also enjoyed golfing and fishing.
Charlie is survived by his wife Jeanne of 58 years; his daughter, Michelle Haage of Gresham and his son, Charles O’Neal of Redlands, California; 7 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. He is preceded in death by his son, Ruben and daughter, Cynthia.
Sandy Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.