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John Henderson O'Neill Jr.

About

Georgia Tech

FUNERAL HOME

H.M. Patterson & Son-Oglethorpe Hill Chapel

4550 Peachtree Road Ne

Atlanta, Georgia

John O'Neill Obituary

Family-Placed Death Notice

JOHN HENDERSON O'NEILL, JR. John Henderson O'Neill, Jr., 78, died on January 27, 2007. Born November 15, 1928 in Huntsville, Alabama, he was the only child of the late Chloe Walling O'Neill and John Henderson O'Neill. John attended North Fulton High School of Atlanta where he lettered in football and track. O'Neill was recruited by many colleges, but chose Georgia Tech because of the coaching of Bobby Dodd. John pledged Phi Delta Theta while attending Georgia Tech. John married Lucia Rawson of Atlanta, Georgia on August 10, 1951. O'Neill graduated in 1951 with a degree in Industrial Management. After graduating from Georgia Tech, O'Neill spent 3 years in the Air Force and fought in the Korean Conflict where he flew over 100 missions as a fighter pilot and then served as a flight instructor in Alabama. He returned to Atlanta in 1954 and spent the next dozen years with the Equitable Life Assurance Society. He was a Southeastern Conference Football official for 6 years. He served as past President of the Georgia Football Officials Association. O'Neill's love of sports led him back to Georgia Tech in 1966 when Bobby Dodd asked his former player to return to Tech as a Business Manager of the Athletic Department. While he has many memories of his relationship with the football team, O'Neill thrived in his various administrative positions and was named Senior Associate Athletic Director. During his quarter-century at Tech, he has served as past President of the College Athletic Business Managers Association and was named its Business Manager of the Year in 1985. He served as President of the Touchdown Club of Atlanta and the Georgia Football Officials Association, and former director on the Scottish Rite Football Committee and a member of the Sports Council. John was a lifetime member of the Buckhead Boys where he was Honoree of the Year. John was a lifetime member of the Capital City Club. John was happiest when he was hunting at Burge Plantation, Fishing at Capital City Club, or spending time on Lake Burton. John found a renewed faith as a member of the Church of the Apostle where services will be held. Surviving are his wife of 55 years, Lucia Rawson O'Neill; son, John Henderson O'Neill, III and wife Madeline; daughter, Alice O'Neill Whisenhunt and husband Ken; grandchildren, John Henderson O'Neill, IV, Kenneth Moore Whisenhunt, Jr. and Mary Ashley Whisenhunt. He was preceded in death by a son, David Ferguson O'Neill. Memorial services will be held Wednesday, January 31st at two o'clock at the Church of the Apostles. Friends are invited to visit with the family after the service at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made in Mr. O'Neill's memory to the Church of the Apostles, 3585 Northside Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30327 or the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, 150 Bobby Dodd Way, Atlanta, GA 30332 or the National Parkinsons Foundation, 1501 N. W. 9th Ave/Bob Hope Road, Miami, FL 33136-1494. Arrangements by H. M. Patterson & Son Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, 4550 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319.

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

Published by Atlanta Journal-Constitution from Jan. 30 to Jan. 31, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for John O'Neill

23 Entries

annie carnes-wojtys

February 19, 2007

John I just learned of your father's death, please know you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. war eagle my friend love annie carnes-wojtys

yvonne orzech jennings

February 19, 2007

John and the O'Neill Family--I was sorry to hear the news about your dad. My sister Janet who went to Tech and my parents were visiting me in Illinois January 12th and we were talking about you and your family and Lake Burton. My parents "blame" me for the best investment they have ever made--the Lake Burton cabin which is really your fault! I will always remember you as 1 of my great Auburn friends and the guy who brought me up to the Lake 1 weekend during those college days. You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. Yvonne and the Orzech family

John Tyler

February 6, 2007

To all the Family:
Much love to all of you. We will keep you in our prayers.
Barbara and John Tyler

Larry and Pat Jarrett

February 1, 2007

Dear Lucia and family,
We knew John for only 6-7 years, but were most impressed by his love of life and family. He loved taking his grandson fishing and we enjoyed watching them. He was a strong man and Larry loved calling him friend.
May God fill your days with good memories and love.
Larry and Pat Jarrett

Randy Carroll

January 31, 2007

To the entire O'Neill family:
I was fortunate enough to meet John
during my undergraduate years at Georgia Tech. I admired my baseball
coach, Jim Luck, who often told me
that John was his best friend and
that was good enough for me to know
John was "something special". That was proven to me over the years through his deeds and actions. I later served on the GT Athletic Board and was amazed that John's comments and decisions were always in the best interest of the school and athletic department with no
"hidden agendas". I regret that I didn't see him very much in his later years because I would like to
have told him how much he meant to
everyone at Georgia Tech. Once when
he was in charge of the ticket department, I heard him "remark"
that we needed a "full house" to help win the game and pay the bills. He would have been proud of
the "full house" of family and friends at his service today. It
was a great tribute to a wonderful
individual!

Rachel Styles

January 31, 2007

Mrs. O'Neill and Family,

My deepest sympathy to you. John was a very special man. I always look forward to seeing him at the games. He always had a smile and always made me feel really special.
I always admired John for never giving up even when he had a hard time getting around. He just would not miss a Ga. Tech game. I will miss him alot. God Bless you and give you strength during this time.

Betty Drukenmiller

January 31, 2007

Dear family, so sorry to hear of John's passing. we were friends from high school through his retirement at Tech. and with his Mom and Dad.I have just had my 4th surgery in a year and can not attend the funeral. Good luck to Alice and Ken in their new job. Betty York Drukenmiller NFHS and GTAA

Matt & Kathleen Robbins

January 31, 2007

Mrs O'Neill,

Kathleen and I wish to extend to you and your family our heartfelt thoughts at the death of your husband. I know that these past years have been trying for all. You as Care-giver wished him to be at peace, and now he is.

I remember your husband from my days of going to Tech games; I am married to John McKenna's daughter. We were at The Flats in those days among those cheering for the Jackets, no one moreso than you and your husband.

You, Lucia, hold even a more special place in our hearts as well -- you gave a shower for us as we were expecting our first born. Thanks for your graciousness to us then.

We know that death is the passage to newer promises, but none of us know how our end-days will be filled here. John dealt with life and yes with Parkinsons as best he could: with grace, courage and hope. Now he is at peace and moving into the newer wonderfilled discoveries promised us through the Lord.

God bless you and your family.

Manning & Jim Holmes

January 31, 2007

Lucia..you are in our thoughts and prayers at this most difficult time in your life.John was a wonderful person and will be missed by all.Love, Manning & Jim Holmes..Lake Burton, Ga.

Taz Anderson

January 30, 2007

Dear Lucia and family,

Like many who followed the white and gold, John was the source of many special favors at a time when they counted so much.John represented Georgia Tech in a special way to many of the former players who still needed a friend at the old school.
His smile and great attitude as he battled this demonic disease was an inspiration to us all.
I hope you will find comfort in knowing the many hundreds John advised and assisted along the way.

Sincerely,

Taz

Jerry and Shanita Jones

January 30, 2007

To the Family and Friends

We are sorry to hear of the loss of John. It seems that he was an outstanding man that loved sports and recreation. Sports and recreation both have benefits to a person. The bible states at 1 Timothy 4:8 that "bodily training is beneficial for a little but godly devotion is beneficial for all things." Yes spiritual things are very precious and can give life real meaning and John was aware of that. We send our condolences to you and your family.

Ken and Holley Minton

January 30, 2007

Lucia and family,
Remembering the wonderful times with John - especially at the lake. Much love from all of us.

Louis Polonsky

January 30, 2007

John O'Neill was a major influence in my life when I was a student at Georgia Tech. When he was the Business Manager for the Athletic Association, I served in 1970 as Student Council representive for student athletic seating, and worked closely with Mr. O'Neill. He was the consummate gentleman and mentor, and was a very strong influence on my decision to attend law school. I will always cherish my time with this wonderful man, and his passing is a loss for all of us who knew him.

Marc Fredo

January 30, 2007

Alice,
My thoughts and prayers are with your family at this difficult and sad time.

Joyce & JOHN Gwin

January 30, 2007

We shall remember you as the wonderful person that you were.

Jennifer Bennett

January 30, 2007

With deep sympathy and pray, my thoughts are with each of you. John O'Neil gave me that first job in sports - ultimately leading to who and where I am today. He holds a special place in my heart.

Thomas Warner

January 30, 2007

I want to express my deepest sympathy to the O'Neill family for
their loss. It was an honor and a privilege to be his step-brother. John was an outstanding man in every aspect of the word. He was a great husband, father and friend. God Bless him for the many wonderful things he did for other people. He will be missed by many.

John W. Savage

January 30, 2007

I came to know John back in the 1990's eating lunch with him at the Clayton Cafe when he was at Lake Burton.

I believe that God must be pleased by John's life and I feel honored to call him my friend.

Tracy Sadowski

January 30, 2007

I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the O'Neill family during this difficult time. Mr. O'Neill will be remembered as a respected and kind man who touched so many lives, including mine. May the cherished memories we have of him serve as a source of comfort to all who knew and loved him in the days and years to come.

Jeffrey Bartenfeld

January 30, 2007

I wish to express my deepest condolences to the O’Neill family. I had the privilege of spending time with this wonderful family. I was included in many of the best times of my young life. They are never far from my thoughts and heart.

gail irvin

January 30, 2007

To Lucia and family,
Deepest love and sympathy
T and Gail Irvin

Mark Hunter

January 30, 2007

John was a very good man whose values, politeness and professionalism positively influenced those who knew him or came in contact with him. I am blessed for having known him.

Beth (Price) Naspinski

January 30, 2007

Our deepest sympathies to the family during this difficult time. Though I did not know John well, I remember him as a kind and generous man. My thoughts are prayers are with you all.

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