Eugene Milton O'Neill

O'Neill, Eugene Milton

Born in California in the sixth generation of a pioneer family in 1925, Gene, who had made St. Louis his home since 1957, passed away in the city he loved on October 23, 2023. He was 97.

In 1943, upon graduation from Alton High School, Gene enlisted in the Army Air Corp Aviation Cadet Program and trained as a navigator. Three weeks after he returned home in October of 1945, he married Jane Corrine Prigmore, the love of his life. They had met at a Collinsville-Alton high school football game in 1943 and corresponded daily during his enlistment. With the help of the G.I. Bill, Gene graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in the class of 1949 and received the Distinguished Business Alumni Award in 2004.

Upon earning his C.P.A. certificate in 1953, he accepted a job in Bloomington, Illinois as Controller of a Division of General Grocer Company and in 1957 he moved to company headquarters in Brentwood, Missouri. He was elected President and CEO of General Grocer Company in 1960.

During his presidency the company was well known for developing subsidiaries with innovative retail formats, two of which were headquartered in St. Louis: Save-A-Lot Food Stores, Ltd. and Shop 'N Save Stores. In 1982, an offer described as too good to pass up, led to the sale of the company. Gene then founded Tyben Consulting Company and was active in the sale and merging of food distributors throughout the country for 15 years.

He served as Chairman of the National American Wholesale Grocer Association, a founding Director of the Food Marketing Institute in Washington, D.C., Chairman of the Variety Club's Cash for Kids Program for nine years, and Treasurer and a founding Director of the Food Industry Crusade Against Hunger. He served as a Director of Boatmen's National Bank for eleven years and was Chairman of the Better Business Bureau of Greater St. Louis. He was a member of the Young Presidents' Organization and Old Warson Country Club.

He and Jane were fortunate to be on People-to-People Tennis Teams through the US State Department citizen diplomacy program which led them to playing in twenty-two countries around the globe in the 1980's and 1990's as both played at club level well into their eighties. They also enjoyed golf and downhill skiing until Alzheimer's prevented Jane from participating. Gene embraced his role as her primary caregiver.

A memorial service has been held. Interment will be private.

He is survived by his three daughters Karen Jane O'Neill of Healdsburg, CA, Kay Ellen (Peter Sharer) O'Neill of Portland OR, and Mary Kathleen (Doug Binder) O'Neill of Scottsdale, AZ, a brother, William Gordon O'Neill of San Diego, CA and four grandchildren. A son, Kevin Charles O'Neill, died in 1969.

Memorial contributions can be sent to the Alzheimer's Association, 9370 Olive Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132 or a charity of your choice.