Thomas Lawrence O'Neill

1948 - 2025

On January 2, 2025, Arlington, Virginia lawyer Thomas Lawrence O'Neill, passed away in Minturn, Colorado after suffering with a lung disease. Tom was born on August 8, 1948 and grew up in Washington, DC. He was the son of Jack and Marjorie O'Neill. He is survived by his sister, Patricia O'Neill, his children Koren O'Neill, her spouse Todd Scheurich; his son, Jack O'Neill and his wife Amanda O'Neill, and his grandchildren Scout O'Neill and Chapin Scheurich.

Tom graduated from Gonzaga College High School in the District of Columbia where he played lacrosse. He graduated from Lynchburg College where he excelled at lacrosse and received his B.A. degree. In college, he met his future wife Susan Courtney Hutt O'Neill who he married on April 29, 1972. She pre-deceased him on September 25, 2007.

Tom attended law school at George Mason University Law School, receiving his J.D. degree in 1978. He practiced law in Campbell County, Virginia from 1978 to 1983 when he became affiliated with the Arlington, Virginia law firm of Sher and Cummings. He practiced criminal law in Arlington until his retirement in 2023. He was respected by lawyers and judges alike for his integrity, compassion and professionalism. He is remembered for his refinement and class. He donned a smile and a pleasant word to anyone he encountered. One of his colleagues questioned how he could repeatedly represent people charged with criminal conduct. He responded, "you don't defend the person, you defend the process."

In 1998, Tom co-produced "A Victim of Circumstance," an educational video produced for the Arlington Juvenile Court. It was shown for over twenty years at the monthly ceremony where new drivers received their drivers' licenses. The video won a national award for excellence in the public service category.

Tom sold BMW autos to finance his legal studies. He enjoyed four wheeling and taught military personnel how to drive 4-wheel drive vehicles. He was an avid lacrosse player and played throughout his life, including in a senior league. He coached boys lacrosse at Bishop O'Connell High School from 1996-2000. Tom loved the outdoors. He always had fishing gear in his car. He was an avid reader who enjoyed Civil War history and often visited little known battle sites in Northern Virginia.

He never knew a stranger and loved to share a joke. One of his colleagues explained, "in Tom, I finally understand what a 'Virginia Gentleman' means."

A graveside service for family and close friends is planned for Friday, January 17, 2025 at Leeds Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life at Blue Valley Winery from 1to 4 p.m. on Saturday January 18, 2025. All are invited to share memories of Tom's life.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for contributions to Bishop O'Connell High School, 6608 Little Falls Rd., Arlington, Virginia 22203, or online at www.bishopoconnell.org/give.

Please write, "Boys Lacrosse Team" in the donation comments.