James 0. O'Neal

James 0. O'Neal, 78, passed away peacefully at home on Thursday,  Nov. 5, after a three year battle with multiple myeloma. 
James was born Aug. 30, 1931 in Sulphur to Joseph Martin and Ruby (Lewis) O'Neal. He attended school in Shawnee. Graduating from Bethel High School in 1950. After graduation, he worked for Oklahoma Geophysical, doodle-bugging in Oklahoma and Texas. He entered the U. S. Army in October 1952. Serving in Korea in the 25th infantry division. He was a gunner in Company D of the 14th infantry regiment. He received the combat infantryman badge, and the good conduct medal. He was honorably discharged in September 1954. He then went to Diesel Mechanics school at Oklahoma State University in Okmulgee. He graduated in August 1959. He went to Wyoming. He worked for Dobbs Diesel.
James married Barbara Rhines on July 12, 1960 in Shawnee. The couple returned to Casper and James went to work for Butane Power and Equipment. He was offered a job with Great Lakes Carbon for two years and then went to work for Texaco Refinery. When the Refinery closed in 1982, he was transferred to Anacortes, Wash. He was there for nine years and retired from Texaco after 26 years of service. He then moved back to Casper, Wyo. He enjoyed going back to his class reunions in Shawnee and keeping in touch with his classmates. He was looking forward to his 60th class reunion in June 2010 and his 50th wedding anniversary in July 2010.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law and one great-grandson.
He is survived by his wife Barbara; his three sons, Charles Jones, Martin O'Neal, and Steven O'Neal and wife Stefani; two daughters, Debbie Spiva and husband George, and Susie Gilbert and husband Dorian; three sisters, Leona (Vemon) McLaughlin and Joyce Hampton of Shawnee, and Betty Jo (Hubert) Seaton of Oklahoma City; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren and three more great- grandchildren on the way.
Memorial services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9, at the Oregon Trail State Veterans' Cemetery in Evansville, Wyo. Cremation took place under the direction of Bustard's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorials would be appreciated to Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 S. Wilson St. Casper, WY 82601, or to a charity of your choice.