Pete O’Neal was welcomed into Jesus’ arms May 1, 2019.
Despite a tough outer exterior Pete was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather.
He never met a stranger and quietly helped and supported anyone in need. Pete enthusiastically participated in many activities including golf, car racing but enjoyed fishing the most. He loved to fish especially with his family.
In addition to his family, Pete loved his country. He retired from the U.S. Army after 21 years of service. Pete was in the 82nd Airborne and served with honor in Korea and Vietnam. SFC Peter Eugene O’Neal was awarded the National Defense Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal, Armed Forces Expedition Medal (Dominican Republic and Korea), Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Service Star, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm. He was fluent in the Vietnamese language at the Defense Language Institute.
Pete was also a member of Petroleum Safety Professionals of Oklahoma and the Society of Safety Engineers and worked as a safety engineer for Harper Oil Company.
Among his many accomplishments, Pete graduated from Oklahoma State University (go Pokes), was a member of the Mustang Masonic Lodge (32nd Degree Mason and Shriner), coached sports teams, serviced as a Civil Defense volunteer and owned L&O Auto in El Reno.
Pete is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Pauline, his daughters Brenda Woodward, Peggy Earle, Paula Cline, Sherri Segler and husband Michael, and Dee Gibson-Poe and husband Chad.
He was preceded in death by two grandchildren Duane Gibson, Jeffrey Poe his parents Leroy and Edith O’Neal, sister Peggy Sigman and brothers Wesley, Billy, Johnnie and Harry O’Neal.
Pete was loved by his family and will miss him. The family wants to thank the Clinton VA Center and Integris Baptist Hospice for the special care to Pete and his family.
The funeral service is 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 7 at Yanda & Son Funeral Home in Yukon. Visitation is noon to 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and Monday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
