James A. O'Neill

James A. O’Neill of Midland, Texas passed away at home Sunday evening October20, 2013 after a brief illness. He was 93 years old. Jim was born on December 4, 1919 in Enid Oklahoma. His parents were James B. O’Neill and Agnes Muriel Hudnal O’Neill. He was raised in the same farmhouse with his Grandparents John and Laura O’Neill, his parents and his aunts and uncles. . Being the oldest grandson Jim had a great affection for his grandfather and the wheat farms his grandfather homesteaded in the land run of 1889.

During WW2 Jim served in the 45th infantry division until severely injured in a jeep accident while in the process of being deployed to Europe. After a lengthy rehabilitation in hospital Sgt. O’Neill transferred to the Army Air corps rather than accept an honorable discharge. He served as secretary to the base commander, Vance Air Force Base, until the end of the war.

Jim married the love of his life Frances Wilma Lee (Billie) O’Neill on April 16, 1942. They had many wonderful years together until Billie’s untimely death in 1984. Together they raised eight children.

Jim and Billie were active members of St. Ann’s Parish for many years and Jim more recently was a member of St. Stephen’s parish. Jim was a 3rd degree mason of the Knights of Columbus.

Jim was a veteran landman. He began his career working for Conoco Oil in Ponca City, Ok after WW2 and transferred with Conoco to Ft. Worth in 1952. In 1954 he moved to Midland to join Ralph Lowe Petroleum. He worked for Ralph Lowe for 25 years before he and John Ketter formed Dutch Irish Oil Company. Jim finished his career after many years working for Warren American Oil. Jim retired when he was 75.

Jim married Corene Shortes in November of 1989 they were married until Corene passed away in 2007.

One of the Jim's great loves was playing his fiddle. He will be remembered by many as, ”Jim Alamo", the leader of the Texas Plainsmen., the country swing band he formed in 1952, while still living in Ft. Worth. The Plainsmen played all around West Texas providing "after dinner music for folks who weren't very hungry any way." In 1964 their recording of “Rolling Stone from Texas”, with Donnie Walser singing, reached the Billboard charts. That same year the band had a live on the air Saturday morning radio show on KJBC. Jim used to say he was the oldest member of the band and finally was also the last surviving member of the band.

Jim is survived by his children: Mary Beth O’Neill of Dallas Texas; Kathleen O’Neill-Smith of Dallas Texas; Laura Sue Hoover and her husband Sid of Seattle, Washington; Jim O’Neill of Fort Collins, Texas; Dan O’Neill of Midland, Texas; Bill O’Neill and his wife Ann Marie of Blackwater, County Wexford Ireland; and Peggy Howard and her husband Neil of Katy, Texas.

Jim is also survived by his grandchildren: Daniel Thomas Smith III, Neil Lloyd, Derek Lloyd and wife Jackie, James A. O’Neill II and wife Carol, Cynthia Ann Marie Kramer and husband Matthew, Ryan Elder, Jennifer Sell and husband Taylor, Meggie O’Neill, Kate Emrich and husband Ted, Kelly O’Neill, Grace Howard, Ned Howard, Amy Claire Howard, Hank Howard and his great-grand-children Nicole Wade, Jack Lloyd, Jackson Lloyd, Dillan Lloyd, Meleena O’Neill, Joey O’Neill, Thomas O’Neill, David O’Neill, Adam O’Neill, Kennedy Elder and Caroline Sell.

Jim is also survived by his brother John O’Neill and his wife Dorothy of Wichita, Kansas, sister Bernadette Krechmar of Enid Oklahoma, sister in law Lois Ahlhauser and her husband John of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and numerous nieces and nephews who cherish Uncle Jimmy’s stories and sayings.

In addition to his wives Jim was preceded in death by his daughter Sally Ann (O’Neill) Boles, his brother Hugh O’Neill, and sisters Rose Marie Duberstein and Ann Raulpe.

Family expresses their deep gratitude to Kathy Hargrave, his wonderful caregiver for over 10 years.

A Rosary Prayer Service for Jim will be held at St. Stephen’s Catholic church, 4601 Neely Ave. Midland on Thursday evening October 24th at 7:00PM. Funeral Mass will be Friday morning October 25th at 11:00AM, also at St. Stephen’s with burial to follow at Resthaven Memorial Park. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Ellis Funeral Home. Please place on line condolences at www.ellisfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Helping Hands Mission of Midland or the charity of your choice.