James A. O’Neal (Jim) left to be with the Lord in heaven on January 8, 2014, but not before he left his lasting impression in this world. Services will be on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at 10:00AM at Greenwood Baptist Church in Midland, Texas with Pastor Bob Hines officiating. Interment will follow at Greenwood Cemetery.Jim was born in Oklahoma to James O’Neal, Sr. and Nona Marie, but was raised and graduated high school in Plains, Texas. He then attended Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas. He graduated from Tech with a BA and received his credits for student teaching. He later accredited himself with an MBA from Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas. He soon attained employment at Tornillo High School in 1968 in Tornillo, Texas as a Vocational Agriculture teacher. He served as an Ag teacher at Tornillo for 34 years. While teaching he was able to pass on his knowledge of daily learning, respect, gratitude, inspiration, compassion, and laughter to the faculty and numerous students that passed through the school doors year after year with many FFA projects, awards, and dealings under his belt. He was well respected in the community, as well as by the people who met over the years. During Jim’s first couple of years at Tornillo, he met and eventually would marry his true love, Frances, (even if she didn’t know it yet) as they passed one another at Marie’s Store. He married her in December of 1972 and together they had one daughter, Shannon, in 1975. As the years went by, as did the students, parents, and friends. He was finally at a crossroads of letting his reign as “Mr.O” finally come to an end in 2002. He and Frances moved to Midland, Texas later that year to start a new chapter of being “Papa” to his 3 grandchildren, which he did well and enjoyed. He loved watching his grandkids grow and learn. Although heartbroken that his grandchildren didn’t share in his passion to show livestock, he understood that their love was on horseback and going to rodeos. Papa and Nana would attend the kid’s play days, rodeos, and some practices and would watch as they excelled in their own horsemanship skills. Either way, he showed them his love, support, and respect that they have always known and will remember.Jim is survived by his loving wife, Frances O’Neal, of Midland, Texas; daughter, Shannon Kitchens and husband, Jimmy, of Stanton, Texas; grandchildren, Koby, Kanita, and Kameron Kitchens of Stanton, Texas; sister, Gail Gladden and husband, Alvin, of Muleshoe, Texas; niece, Jayme Gladden, of Snyder, Texas; and niece, Jill Gladden, of Lubbock, Texas.He is preceded in death by his parents.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, PO Box 1890, Amarillo, TX 79174, or an organization of your choice.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.,
