Jerry Dale O'Neal

Jerry Dale O’Neal, a devoted Christian, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away on August 6, 2021. Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Jerry moved to Birmingham as a teenager, but returned to Fort Worth to graduate from Pascal High School and attend Baylor University. Returning to Birmingham, he worked in the homebuilding industry and developed a passion for homeownership. He worked for decades in residential mortgage banking and was a member of several industry associations.

Jerry was an active member of Dawson Memorial Baptist Church, where he met his wife of 60 years, Anita. Blessed with a powerful baritone voice, he faithfully sang in Dawson’s Sanctuary Choir throughout his adult life, serving as its president and participating in numerous church ensembles. He was an avid racquetball player who won state and regional tournaments. He loved classic cars, great music, beautiful mountains, adventurous roadtrips, and delicious meals. With an incredible spirit of graciousness, he was known to offer unspoken acts of kindness. Most of all Jerry was known for his deep faith, his undying love of family and friends, and an affable sense of humor that manifested in his big, joyful laugh.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Montie Lee O’Neal and Edna Mae O’Neal of Fort Worth, Texas; his brother Glen E. O’Neal (Velma) of Mountain Brook; and his sister Barbara June Mallory (Bobby) of Weatherford, Texas. He is survived by his wife, Sonya Anita Love O’Neal; his brother, Don E. O’Neal (Cheryl) of Dallas, Texas; his daughters Renee O’Neal Schmidt (Chris), Suzanne O’Neal Hart, and Allison O’Neal Skinner (David) of Mountain Brook; his grandchildren Brian O’Neal Schmidt, Christopher Michael Maloy Schmidt, Annabel Caroline Hart, Ian Andrew Hart Jr., Catherine Anne Skinner, and David Charles Skinner. He also leaves numerous nieces and nephews.

His Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, the 13th of August, at 2:00 p.m. at Dawson Baptist Church, located at 1114 Oxmoor Road, Homewood, Alabama 35209. Friends are cordially invited to a visitation at 1:00 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The burial will be held at Currie-Jefferson Memorial Gardens located at 2701 Johns Hopkins Parkway, Hoover, Alabama 35244 following the service. Masks are strongly encouraged. Memorials honoring Jerry's life may be made to the Dawson Baptist Church Music Ministry. Services are under the direction of Ridout's Valley Chapel (205-879-3401) in Homewood.

Virtual attendance is available using this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84623018304?pwd=Z0p4Qi9lSS9XdFNrWC9NK3F4bFZVdz09 Password: 081321