R. Michael "Mike" O'Neill, Jr., a man devoted to Jesus Christ, entered eternal life on January 2, 2025, in the arms of his wife after a courageous battle with Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Born on September 17, 1965, Mike grew up in Germantown, Tennessee, and resided in Piperton, Tennessee. He was an active parishioner at The Catholic Church of the Incarnation in Collierville, Tennessee.

Mike excelled in sports, playing for the East Memphis Tiger Baseball Association and Germantown High School's state championship football and baseball teams. He received a baseball scholarship to the University of Memphis, where he earned a degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Management. While at university, Mike met Elizabeth "Beth," whom he married in 1991 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Mike began his career in sales within the building materials, heavy equipment, and industrial packaging industries but later pursued his calling to education and coaching. He volunteered as a youth football coach for eight years at Germantown Middle School and was inducted into the Germantown Baseball Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2001, he earned his Master of Arts in Teaching and began teaching and coaching football at Christian Brothers High School in Memphis. Mike created the Chris Mosby Spring Classic 3v3 basketball tournament, raising $160,000 for scholarships and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

In 2010, Mike joined Collierville High School, eventually becoming Head Football Coach in 2012. Known for his signature "handbone" celebrations after defensive shutouts, Mike was named Region 7-6A Coach of the Year in 2017 and Collierville Man of the Year in 2018. He also played a pivotal role in designing Collierville's state-of-the-art football facilities.

In 2023, Mike published his memoir, Don't Back Down: A True Story of Perseverance Through Faith, Determination, and a Positive Attitude. Throughout his illness, Mike never complained, offering his suffering to the Lord. His relationship with Jesus and devotion to the Blessed Mother sustained him, and his patron saint, Christina of Tyre, guided his journey.

He is survived by his wife Beth and their three children: Brooke (Bowers) Clement of Memphis, TN; Michael (Christi) O'Neill of Nashville, TN; and Mary Elizabeth O'Neill (engaged to Clayton Sherrillo) of Nashville, TN. Mike, affectionately known as "G-Daddy," and Beth, "Lala," were blessed with four grandchildren: Mary Reagan and Palmer Lee Clement (Brooke and Bowers), and Andrew Michael and Quinn Kelly O'Neill (Michael and Christi).

Mike is also survived by his father, Ronald "Ron" Michael O'Neill, Sr. of Germantown, TN; his siblings Elizabeth "Liz" (Jimmy) Griffith of Dallas, TX; Stephanie (Tom) Giovanetti of Birmingham, AL; and Parks (Kelly) O'Neill of Germantown, TN; three nephews: Collin (Jessica) Griffith, Neill (Belle) Giovanetti, Parks O'Neill, Jr.; and four nieces: Catherine (Tim) Carroll, Grace Giovanetti, Anna Claire O'Neill, and Khristian East (daughter of Rick and Barbie Merwin). Mike was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Kinnett O'Neill, and his grandparents, Michael William O'Neill, Marion Parks Kinnett, Elizabeth McSwain Kinnett, and Muriel Ellis O'Neill White.

Visitation will be 9:30 AM Friday, January 10, with a Rosary at 10:30 AM at the Catholic Church of the Incarnation. Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 AM.

Mike's family extends heartfelt gratitude to his friends, medical team, and caregivers who supported him throughout his battle.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Courage Thru Cancer (CTC) at couragethrucancer.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Daily Memphian from Jan. 3 to Jan. 4, 2025.