Memorials › Larry Finis O'Neal
Larry Finis O'Neal
30 Aug 1945 – 12 Jan 2024
| Birth | 30 Aug 1945 |
| Death | 12 Jan 2024 |
| Cemetery | Gracelawn Cemetery Edmond , Oklahoma County , Oklahoma , USA |
| Added by | TheOldChief on 14 Jan 2024 |
| FaG | https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/263074276 |
Bio
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather, Larry Finis O'Neal, passed away peacefully on January 12, 2024, at the age of 78, surrounded by his family, who held and spoke to him as he departed this Earth for Heaven. Larry would not have wanted it any other way. His family was his greatest achievement and source of joy and pride. Although devastated by the loss of Larry's larger than life presence, it was his family's honor and privilege, and God's gift, to have shared his final moments with him in this way. Larry was born in Shamrock, Texas on August 30, 1945. The son of a Baptist preacher, Larry moved frequently with his large family throughout his childhood. There is no way around it: little Larry was ornery. There are countless stories of his antics, enough that Larry's father took to going ahead and scolding him in the morning because they both knew he would find some way to earn it throughout the day. Despite his good-natured "fun", Larry was a bright and promising student. He graduated from Cooperton High School in 1963, and moved to Dallas, Texas to attend computer programming school. Ultimately determining that computer programming was not as exciting as it sounded, he returned to Oklahoma for a short time before being drafted and entering the United States Air Force in February 1965. During his military tenure, Larry was stationed at Iraklion Air Station located on the Greek island of Crete, where he assisted in top secret intelligence operations. It was there, on the evening of September 2, 1966, that he fatefully found himself at an outdoor terrace and noticed a pretty Dutch girl named Josien sitting at the table beside him. He decided to strike up a conversation, which led to an immediate and whirlwind romance. Josien, visiting from her home in the Netherlands, extended her stay, and eight months later they decided to wed. Larry returned to Oklahoma to prepare for Josien to join him and during this wait he became so nervous she would change her mind that he lost nearly forty pounds. His worry was for naught, and Josien arrived finding her 6'6" fiancé a beanpole. Larry and Josien were married in Enid, Oklahoma, officiated by Larry's father, a year to the day they met, on September 2, 1967, and remained the very best of friends throughout their 56-year marriage. Larry entered the banking profession following the completion of his military service, inspired after receiving his first bank loan and realizing that banking was a meaningful way to help others achieve their dreams. He worked in various capacities at banks in Woodward, Snyder, and Weatherford, Oklahoma, and finished his career in Spearman, Texas before officially retiring and moving to Edmond. Although he graduated the Southwestern Graduate School of Banking at SMU, Larry was largely self-educated, relying upon his innate financial sense and self-study of current events, trends, and the latest technologies. Banking also afforded Larry the opportunity to do many things he loved, including community service activities, such as, among others, Rotary International, through which he hosted many foreign exchange students, and the YMCA, and engaging with people of all backgrounds. Following his retirement, Larry stayed busy managing various real estate investments. Although Larry was proud of his career achievements, his work always came second to his family. Larry and Josien welcomed their first child, Patrick, on October 6, 1970, who sadly survived only a day and half. Though their loss was tremendous, Larry and Josien leaned on each other through their grief, just as they would throughout their marriage. They went on to have their son Jason and daughters Julie, Jennifer, and Jessica, raising them primarily in Weatherford, Oklahoma. Larry loved his family big and strived to give his kids as many experiences and opportunities as he could, encouraging them all to fulfill their greatest potential through higher education. Anyone who spoke to Larry knew how very proud he was of his kids, his daughter- and sons-in-law, who he treated as his own, and his nine grandkids. Larry and Josien shared a wanderlust, often travelling and visiting new places. He loved to drive, regularly loading his family into the car for an aimless trip. He was incredibly generous with his time and financial resources, always quick to bless others who needed help, quietly and without need for acknowledgment. Larry also loved golf, politics, a good meal, and, in more recent years, spending every day by Josien's side, tirelessly supporting and caring for her in a brave four-year and ongoing battle against cancer that commenced alongside a global pandemic. He was unabashed in his love for Josien, and he was devoted to her to the very end. To his kids, he was a gentle, consistent, and always present source of love, advice, and support. They cherished his guidance, and he was always their first call as to every win or loss. To his grandkids, he was the one and only "Papa Larry Boy". Larry is preceded in death by son, Patrick Brendan O'Neal, and parents, Finis and Lucille O'Neal.
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