James Patrick O'Neal

1936 - 2024

James Patrick O'Neal

April 26, 1936 - September 9, 2024

Bass Lake, California - James Patrick O'Neal (Jim) of Bass Lake, California passed away peacefully on September 9, 2024, at the age of 88 surrounded by his wife and children. He was born on April 26, 1936, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he lived until he, along with his mother, father and his three siblings moved to Calwa, California.

Jim, (often called Jimmy by close friends) graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in Fresno in 1955 where he was an all-star athlete and earned athletic letters in a variety of sports including swimming, diving, cheer, and wrestling. Prior to graduation, Jim was recognized by B'NAI B'RITH Lodge as Student Athlete of the Year for his outstanding scholastic and athletic achievements. He was a State Champion Wrestler and received wrestling scholarships from San Jose State and Stanford University. After enlisting in the United States Navy where he proudly served for four years, Jim attended Fresno City College and honed his technical drafting skills which would help prepare him for business ownership and a successful career in irrigation and landscape design.

In the early 1960's, Jim opened O'Neal Irrigation Supply Co., Inc. in downtown Fresno where his father was his top salesperson. O'Neal Irrigation provided agricultural, golf course, commercial and residential irrigation design in the San Joaquin Valley for 35 years. Through integrity and expertise, Jim built long-lasting relationships and proudly supported prominent Valley growers, landscape contractors and homeowners. He developed a first-of-its-kind drip irrigation program for one of McDonald's largest potato growers located in Türkiye. Additionally, Jim enjoyed horticulture and operated a nursery and garden supply in Visalia. Once retired from the irrigation business, Jim pursued his real estate license and launched a second career selling residential real estate for several prominent brokers.

Jim was immensely proud to be a member of Kiwanis Club of Clovis for many years and was a huge supporter of Fresno State Athletics, especially the Fresno State football and basketball programs. As a Foundation Member, Jim helped raise funds for the building of Bulldog Stadium, now called Valley Children's Stadium. Jim was baptized and enjoyed involvement at Clovis Hills Community Church and other Fresno area churches. After moving to Bass Lake from Clovis, he became an active church member at Mountain Christian Center in Oakhurst.

Jim is preceded in death by his father, Leslie O'Neal, mother, Teresa O'Neal, brother, Bud O'Neal and sister, Shirley Moore.

Jim is survived by his wife of 35 years and love of his life, Linda Smith O'Neal, daughter, Michelle O'Neal Cox, daughter, Holly Pierce, son, Adam de Wit, grandchildren, Carson and Tanner Cox, Saylor de Wit, and Daxton and Keller Pierce, sister, Sally Lauritzen, as well as cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

The family would like to thank Holly Little, Linda Clawson, and Dr. Donaldson and her medical staff at Kaiser Medical Center Fresno for the care and compassion they showed their loved one in his final days.

Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life at Mountain Christian Center on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. Address: 40299 Highway 49, Oakhurst, CA 93644. Reception to immediately follow.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Jim's honor to Break the Barriers, Mountain Christian Center, or Kiwanis Club of Clovis.