Lonnie K. R. O'Neal

Lonnie K.R. O’Neal, 62, of Oldsmar, Florida, formerly of McLoud, passed away June 8, 2024, in Florida.

Lonnie was not a church man. Not perfect by any measure or means. My pastor friend said he 'had a fire insurance policy' but chose not to live the life. Facts she states she had to drag out of him. So, we believe Lonnie is waiting upstairs, but his life was not as good as it could have been. A lesson in forgiveness for all of us could be learned from his life choices.

Lonnie was by trade an electrician. But tinkering with electronic and computer bits was his passion. From a young age in the 1970's in boy scouts, he built things. I recall a coke can light bulb. He built it and I was amazed to see it work. Intercoms between the front and back of the truck cab/bed. Now, he has amassed a large amount of computer time. Tinkering them apart and back together, making things do stuff. Add to that a Star Wars and Star Trek thing, a habit he gladly introduced to both Pam and I, he would qualify for geek squad status by anyone's standard. Let’s not forget the "Elvis Era Karate ''.

Some of my earliest memories are of him as a prankster. Him and Ricky (cousin) would prank all of us younger kids. I told you about the June bugs thrown in the camper of girls in the middle of the night. Yep... that was them. At 6'2", I'll never forget him coming in way past curfew (Senior year hijinks) and Mom nearly breaking her neck looking up and pointing/shaking that mother’s finger. All The While, he just smiled in that halfcocked grin he had.

Sadly, the Lonnie we knew moved away nearly 40 years ago. Brief visits and phone calls were most of our contact for those decades. In his later years he became reclusive and unable to forgive even the slightest perceived wrongdoing by another. Eventually cutting off contact all together with most family members. In 2005, I ended my one-year contract with my job down in Florida. I would not have known that I would not see that same man again.

I choose to remember the smiling man in the photos attached, before we found out his son, Brian, would be battling and ultimately succumb to a rare illness all those years later. The smile he had at the simple pleasure of a good restaurant meal I shared with him and Maria. When he could still mimic the 3 stooges “eye poke” skits. Push his little sisters off and down the road on a minibike, laughing because he KNEW we were heading for the dirt... while we laughed ourselves. The ride to school when I missed the bus, even though it was way out of his way. Before life got in the way of LIFE. That is the brother we choose to remember.

Lonnie was preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Sally Hutchens, His son Brian O'Neal, and his biological father Jesse O'Neal. All of whom are missed

Those left to cherish his memory include his sisters Pam and Stephanie Hutchens, both of McLoud. His brother, Tim Sharron of Jacksonville Florida. His step-son, David Foster of Choctaw OK. As well as a host of nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.

Graveside memorial services are scheduled for 10:00 a.m. Friday, August 16, 2024, at the McLoud Riverside Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Asa Smith Funeral Services of Harrah. Online condolences may be made at www.asasmith.com