Jimmie O'Neal, Jr.

It is the end of an era for this part of Wake County and for the O'Neal family. Jimmie Cedric "J.C." O'Neal, Jr., embodied the best of the Silent Generation's spirit: hard work, loyalty, teamwork, competitiveness, pragmatism, compassion, respect, good humor, optimism, and resilience. J.C. mentored, empowered, and led countless people to be better and is an inspiration for how to live a full life.

J.C. passed away at his residence on November 7, 2025, just weeks before his 90th birthday. He is survived by his daughter, Sherry Stallings (Bill) of Raleigh; his son, Harold O'Neal (Shannon) of Raleigh; grandchildren David Boykin (Victoria) of Fuquay-Varina, Sarah Truppi (Nick) of Knoxville, Tenn., Sarah Curry (Joseph) of Fuquay-Varina, Matthew Tew of Garner and Scott O'Neal of Raleigh; four great-grandchildren; his sister, Donna Roebuck of Wyoming; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, James "Cedric" O'Neal and Elsie Mae Parrott; his wife of 62 years, Colleen Pearl Laing; and his brother, Harold Griffin O'Neal.

Born December 2, 1935 to a family of sharecroppers in rural Knightdale, J.C.'s childhood was shaped by the tight-knit community and ethic of hard-work against the backdrop of the Great Depression and WWII. This experience instilled in him a sense of grit, patriotism, and faith that guided him throughout his life. He toiled in the tobacco fields with his family while also devoting time to high school plays, clubs, basketball, and church. He worked a variety of jobs after school - including working at the A&P requiring him to "thumb" to Raleigh. As the Korean War raged, J.C. and three friends enlisted together in the U.S. Air Force after graduating high school. Though the conflict ended before he completed basic training, his service proved pivotal to his future.

While stationed at McChord Air Force Base in Tacoma, Washington in 1957, a friend asked him to go on a double-date with young ladies from the local college. While neither couple hit things off, J.C. and his friend's date struck up a conversation, and he got her number. J.C. and Colleen started dating in February. They were engaged in August and married in October. Though she was from the Pacific Northwest, the couple moved to Knightdale after J.C. was honorably discharged in the summer of 1958.

June in North Carolina is a bit different than Anacortes, WA or Port Alexander, AK, where his wife had lived. The newlyweds spent their first paychecks purchasing an air conditioner. Soon after moving, J.C. enrolled in college on the G.I. Bill and became the first in his family to graduate from college. He earned an A.A. from Louisburg College where he played baseball and basketball. He earned a B.A. from Atlantic Christian College (now Barton College) and played on the golf team. After graduation, he began his lifelong vocation of teaching and coaching.

J.C. first taught and coached basketball at Gold Sand High School in Franklin County. He went on to teach and coach basketball, football and track at Franklinton High School. He was offered a job at Garner High School and the family of four moved to their permanent home in 1972. Through his 20+ years in GHS athletics he coached basketball, football, cross country, and golf teams. Later in his career, he coached basketball at King's Junior College and then Zebulon High School while still teaching history at Garner. In addition to teaching and coaching, J.C. served as a school club advisor, driver's education instructor, and even drove a school bus for 13 years. In 1992, after more than 30 years of teaching, J.C. retired from Garner Senior High School.

During his long career, J.C. coached several widely recognized basketball players, including Raymond Miller, Paul Hicks, Andy Cook, Doug Walker, Rafael Boyd, Bobby Wade, Ronnie Parker, and C.W. Austin. He was honored as Coach of the Year in 1972-73 after his Trojan Basketball Team won the District III-AAA conference championship. In 1973 he started the Garner Trojan Basketball Camp, inviting star college basketball players to help coach including Mickey Bell, Phil Spence, Tommy Burleson, and Harlem Globetrotter Twiggy Sanders to work with the local participants who attended.

Beyond the classroom and the gym, J.C. devoted himself to his family, community service, and athletics. He served on the Knightdale Board of Aldermen, organized the first Little League team in Knightdale, volunteered as a firefighter, and as a member of American Legion Post 232 in Garner. A longtime member and advocate of the Garner Civitan Club, he served as president in 2003-2004. In lieu of early aims of the seminary, J.C. taught Sunday School at First Baptist Church in Garner for decades beginning in 1973.

After retiring as an educator, J.C. was elected for two terms on the Wake County Public School System's Board of Education representing the Garner/Knightdale area, where he successfully secured Garner's first year-round elementary school. He continued to coach, referee, and umpire for as long as his health allowed. In 2016, J.C.'s commitment to his community was recognized by the Governor with The Order of the Longleaf Pine, North Carolina's highest civilian honor.

J.C. was the trailblazer for his family and a leader in his community. His hard work in the tobacco fields led to a life coaching on the athletic fields. He mentored thousands of players, students, and neighbors. He could flash his Irish temper to match those distinctive eyebrows, but he always leaned on charisma, an unwavering belief in the strength of community, and key partnerships - none more critical to his success than Colleen - to leave the world a better place than he found it.

The O'Neal family legacy will live on by honoring his service, his dedication, and his compassion.

A celebration of life will be held on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home in Garner. The family will receive friends at noon before the service at 1:00 p.m.; followed by burial in the Old Knightdale Baptist Church Cemetery.

The family thanks The Enclave at Buffalo (Clayton) and Heartland Hospice for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Garner Civitan Club, Alzheimer's Association, or Dementia Alliance.