Thomas Eli O’Neal Jr., 99, of Rockingham, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday April 3, 2025 at Richmond County Hospice Haven.
Thomas was born Nov. 7, 1925 in Rockingham to Thomas O’Neal Sr. and Maybelle Kissiah O’Neal, and the second born of 11 children.
He lived in Rockingham his entire life. He joined the Army in 1944 and served 2 ½ years in Central Europe during World War II. He was a TEC 4 sergeant and a medium tank crew member. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946 and remained a proud veteran for the remainder of his life. He often wore a World War II Veteran hat and jacket around town.
In 1951, he married Geraldine Moore. They were married 65 years and were blessed with four children.
He was a shop foreman and machinist at Standard Foundry in Rockingham for several years. He also worked at Georgia Pacific and Owens Illinois. He was a hard worker, very dedicated and dependable. He worked for several years and at age 80, decided it was time to retire. He continued to stay busy by tinkering in his shop.
He was a member at FirstHealth Fitness Center and made many friends there that he cherished. Thomas was a longtime member of Beverly Hills Baptist Church. He was a humble man who loved the Lord and took every opportunity to tell people about the Lord.
Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine Moore O’Neal; his son, Timothy O’Neal; and his son-in-law, Lavern W. Tagge Jr.
He is survived by his children, Peggy O’Neal Tagge of Stokesdale, Thomas O’Neal III of Rockingham and Richard O’Neal Sr. (Renee) of Rockingham; grandchildren, Erin Tagge of Stokesdale, Dana Tagge Newton (Brad) of Statesville, Richard O’Neal Jr. (Kelly) of Southern Pines, Trent O’Neal (Hannah) of Rockingham, Geremy O’Neal (Chelsea) of Rockingham, and Andrew O’Neal of Rockingham; great-grandchildren, Chloe O’Neal, Mallory Newton, Wyatt Newton, Cameron McLaughlin, Jase O’Neal, Karley O’Neal, Brooks O’Neal, Deacon O’Neal and Geri O’Neal; sisters, Ruth McCall and Rachel Davis (Dennis); as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Thomas was loved by his family and many friends and will be greatly missed.
A visitation will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham. A celebration of his life will be held on Sunday, April 13, at 3 p.m. at Beverly Hills Baptist Church in Rockingham with Bishop Marvin Taylor officiating. Interment will follow at Richmond County Memorial Park. Family will otherwise be at the home.
In lieu of flowers, memorials donations in memory of Thomas can be made to Richmond County Hospice, 1119 N. U.S. 1 Rockingham, NC 28379; or to the Gideons International at P.O. Box 931, Hamlet, N.C., 28345.
Online memorials and tributes can be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is assisting the O’Neal family.
