Tributes

Kenneth 'Ken' Earl O'Neil, Jr., died Sunday, September 24, 2017 after a long tough battle with prostate cancer. He was born in Auburn, NY, October 7, 1942, to Kenneth Earl O'Neil, Sr., and Thelma McGaughey Martin O’Neil. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by a brother, James Donald O'Neil formerly of Sand Springs, OK. Left to grieve are his wife, Linda Quisenberry O'Neil of Mooresville, NC; son, Brian O'Neil of Charleston, SC; twin daughters, Kathryn O'Neil & Deborah Speaks (Steve) of Mooresville, NC; his sister, Jean O'Neil Martin (Jerry) of Tulsa, OK; grandchildren, Caroline O'Neil, Charlotte O'Neil, Edward O'Neil & Margaret O'Neil of Charleston, SC, Sam Speaks, Mary Speaks, Ailey Nelson & Laura Nelson of Mooresville, NC. and many nieces, nephews & cousins of OK, PA, MO, NM, CO & NY. Ken worked total of 44 years for Ingersoll-Rand Company, Davidson, NC, Ingersoll-Rand Company, Dallas, TX, South Western Division Ingersoll-Rand Company, Tulsa, OK & Ingersoll-Rand Dealership, Tulsa, OK. Ken & family moved to NC in 1974. He served as the Manager of the Service Department, Applications Engineer, Continue Education Instructor, QA Monitor and was otherwise known as 'the compressor whisperer'. Ken enjoyed the many friends & acquaintances that he met throughout the years with Ingersoll-Rand Co. Ken graduated from Sand Springs High School in 1960 and Oklahoma State University School of Mechanical Technology in 1965, where he earned his Doctor of Mechanics. He served as President of the Mechanical Technology organization at OSU. Ken possessed the ability to recall names. He could meet a group of people & after each had introduced themselves Ken would call each one by their name. Ken was a 'cowboy', once working for the Flying G Ranch of Lotsee, OK. He worked the herds of Registered Hertford cattle, branding, medicating, vaccinating, feeding, watering & birthing calves, holding staffs for the weed exterminator planes, riding his horse daily, checking & fixing the fences, and helping with the yearly Flying G Ranch picnic & fishing contest where the smallest fish won a Registered Hertford calf. He met the love of his life in the spring of 1963 at the local neighborhood 'Gas Station' and they were married in 1966. Ken & Linda celebrated their 51st Anniversary this year. Ken served 6 years in the Oklahoma National Guard Thunderbird Division Bristol, OK Motor Pool as a Master Mechanic. He was awarded a letter of Commendation saving the lives of a young mother and her 2 children. Ken finished his National Guard career as an E6. Ken was born with Amblyopia & was legally blind in his left eye. During the induction physical, the exams were slowing and the Lt made a command that one line would get their eyes examined & the other line would get their ears examined. Ken's ears & hearing were excellent. Ken was a genius with anything mechanical & was truly gifted with human behavior & conflict resolution. These talents served him well in his frequent worldwide travels to China, Russia, Great Brittan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Singapore, Australia, Aubu Dhabi, South Korea, Manila, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Africa & all 50 states. Ken retired October 2010, never wanting to board another plane again or touch another computer! Ken was a generous man and he was most proud of his children. He provided each one a debt free college education. He loved his home in Mooresville and often said he would never live anywhere else in the world than the United States. He once owned 3 Harley Davidson Motorcycles & kept them all humming down the road. He traveled with his 'Gang' from NC to Canada & back and many local excursions, stopping to help a fellow motorcyclist who needs a little oil on the Blue Ridge. He rode the Tail of the Dragon and "thought" about Sturgis. He enjoyed summers at Oak Island with his cycle buddies. He sold the last cycle to his cousin, Howard O'Neil of PA. Ken was full of life. He always had great stories to share. He always looked for the positive side and would always say that "tomorrow would be better day". Ken was a member of Central UMC, Mooresville, NC. A final request of his family is to have a gathering with his friends. Services will be held on Sunday, October 1 at 4:00 PM in the Heritage House of Cavin-Cook Funeral Home with Eddie Karriker officiating. Visitation for family and friends will be from 2:30 – 4:00 PM. Please join Ken's family to celebrate the life of Ken & share your favorite memories. Burial will be on Monday, October 2 at 10:00 AM at Glenwood Memorial Park, Mooresville, NC. Cavin-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the O’Neil family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

Tributes

Kenneth Earl O'Neil

October 7, 1942 - September 24, 2017