Orval D. O’Neal, 92, passed away peacefully in Longview, Texas on April 29, 2023. Orval was born on October 3, 1930 to Thomas Jefferson O’Neal and Cornelia Barton O’Neal in Alexandria, Louisiana. Orval attended Menard High School in Alexandria where he became an Eagle Scout, and played football at the former Louisiana College in Pineville, Louisiana. After Louisiana College, Orval and his first wife Gloria moved to Hughes Springs, Texas, where Orval went to work at Texas and Northern Railroad. He started as an engineer, and finished his 30 years at T&N as yardmaster, moving on to Bowie Cass Electric Company until he retired.
Orval married Peggy Wells Elrod O’Neal on July 12, 1974. In Peggy, Orval had a good fishing partner who perfected the art of frying catfish, a skill that Orval deemed essential. Orval also acquired the most wonderful step-son and daughter-in-law a man could hope for, Roger and Donna Elrod, who provided strong support especially in his later years. Orval and Peggy spent almost 50 happy years together and were living at Brookdale Assisted Living in Longview, Texas at the time of Orval’s death.
Anyone who knew Orval knows that fishing and hunting were his great loves. He was an expert at both, and loved nothing more than teaching local kids to fish. Orval taught his daughters how to bait a worm on a hook and clean and filet a fish, also skills that Orval considered absolutely necessary. Orval also taught daughter Rikki how to drive a stick shift and even had her back that stick shift into Lake O’ the Pines when she was just twelve years old so he could load his boat on its trailer. (An unsuccessful effort best forgotten, but his confidence in her was inspiring.)
As a hunter, Orval believed in eating what you kill, resulting in some memorable meals, including the Thanksgiving he proudly killed a wild turkey with a bow and arrow. That the turkey was ancient might have contributed to its being slow enough to be brought down with that method but its advanced age also definitely rendered it inedible.
Orval was also a huge sports fan, especially the Dallas Cowboys and LSU. In his later years, he was a sports encyclopedia. It was amazing that he could remember so many details about teams and athletes. During football season, the TV was always tuned to sports stations; at other times it was on channels that played his beloved Westerns (and always at full blast.)
Orval is survived by his wife, Peggy Wells Elrod O’Neal of Longview, Texas; his daughter, Rikki O’Neal (Mike) Jones of Chicago, Illinois; stepson, Roger (Donna) Elrod of Longview, Texas; stepdaughter, Rebecca (Franklin) Mixon of Texarkana, Texas; and many step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is also survived by much-loved nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Deborah Ruth O’Neal of Hughes Springs, Texas; brothers, Thomas Jefferson O’Neal, Jr., of Siloam Springs, Arkansas, Robert Nathaniel O’Neal of Junction City, Arkansas; and step-daughter Debbie Elrod Higginbotham of Hughes Springs.
Thanks to Dr. Shen and the staff of Accent Hospice, and the staffs of Alinea Hospice and Longview Regional Hospital. And a very special and eternal thanks to Roger and Donna, for their unmatched selflessness, patience, and generosity as “boots on the ground”. Words can never express our appreciation for all they have done.
Plans for a memorial service are pending. Services entrusted to Reeder-Davis Funeral Home of Ore City.
Praying for the family. Melinda at Alinea Hospice.
Thank you Melinda ❤️
Thank you sweet friends ❤️
Thank you, Tempe. Please give Robert a hug for me ❤️
Rik. Love you so much. Your dad was such a great man. I remember the time he took a bunch of us to see “ the way we were” in Longview. You were blessed to have him for so long. What a peaceful way to go. God bless …..
Thank you sweet friend. ❤️
Rikki and Family, Kermit and I are so sorry about your Dad. We are so thankful he passed so peacefully. I loved how Uncle Orval always had a smile on his face and kept us all laughing! My family was blessed by moving to Hughes Springs and becoming a part of you family by proxy. We loved your Dad and all of the O’Neal family! We will be keeping all of you in our thoughts and prayers!!!
Thank you Cheryl and Kermit! Y’all were and are family. Have so many good memories of you, Steve, Aunt Joy and Uncle Gordon. Miss you. ❤️
RIKKI WE ARE SO SORRY ABOUT THE LOSS OF YOUR DAD. YOU ALL ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS. LOVE, TONI WELCH BLACK AND RANDY
Thank you so much Toni and Randy ❤️
Rikki, Charles talked about Koony during his time of reminiscing the past during his sickness. He said Koony took him hunting and fishing more than Jigger did. He was so thankful to have known Koony in his youth. Charles died April 4, 2023 and I know he went to the gates to welcome Koony. Sending prayers for you and the family.
Geraldine Hull Hughes Springs
Thank you so much, Geraldine. I had not heard about Charles, I am so sorry. We had so many fun times at their house. We were lucky to grow up with such dear people. ❤️
Rikki, Your dad lived life to its fullest, always with a smile and a witty comment to share. He mastered the art of having fun and taught that skill to his daughters who were his delight. You and Deb were so fortunate to have him as a dad. I share in your grief for his loss from this life; however, I feel hopeful that your memories will comfort you and help to heal your heart. Sending you my love and prayers for the days ahead.
Thank you for this. I love you, Barbie! ❤️
Mr. O’Neal raised my lovely friend Rikki who inherited his zest for life. Though I unfortunately never met him, he is truly the cutest 92 year old man I’ve ever seen and know the family is heartbroken to lose him. Our thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate his life.
Thank you sweet friend! ❤️
We know how much you loved visiting your dad and how close you were. He will always be close to your heart as you’ll have fond memories to lean on. Prayers go out to you and family.
Thank you sweet friends ❤️
Jerry Robison
Thank you, Jerry Don. One of the last full conversations we had was about you; he told me he wanted to go see you but I was afraid he was going to try talk you into letting him hunt on your land. He never lost his desire to hunt and fish, even at 92. You were very special to him. ❤️
Thank you so much, Jana. ❤️
With love and condolences,
Betsy
Thank you so much, Betsy. I feel the same about you. Your parents were the absolute best. I would love to be able to sit down as an adult with your mom and have a conversation. We were all lucky to grow up in a town with such wonderful people. ❤️