James Palmer (JP) O’Neil, 79, of Greenwood, SC was called home on Wednesday, July 17, 2024 after a hard-fought battle with cancer. “God saw him getting tired, and a cure was not to be. So God wrapped His loving arms around him and whispered ‘Come home with Me.’

JP was born on July 20, 1944, at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin to Palmer and Dorothy Petersen O’Neil. He graduated from Liberty High School in Youngstown, Ohio where he lettered in three separate sports and was a member of the State Runner Up Championship basketball team. After high school, he received a Degree in Engineering from Youngstown University where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and AIIE (Engineering) at YU and then earned a Master’s Degree in Computer Technology from The American University in Washington, DC. He honorably served in the US Army during the Vietnam conflict and was awarded the Army Commendation Medal while stationed at the Pentagon. After 8 years of serving his country as an active-duty soldier and DOD Civilian, he started his own high-tech company in San Diego, California. He later spent almost 20 years in the private equity industry serving as a CEO and Board Chairman in multiple companies.

JP loved God, and absolutely adored Robbin and their home on Lake Greenwood. He enjoyed a lifetime of motorcycling, a good cigar, boating, driving fast cars and anything with a loud engine. Family gatherings on the lake were always very special to him and he especially looked forward to hosting the annual Fourth of July celebration with lifelong friends, family and neighbors.

He is survived by his loving wife, Robbin, son and daughter, Michael Sean O'Neil and Ronni (Gary) Steady, seven grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and his sisters Linda (Ray) Weingart and Marcy Erickson. Preceding his death and waiting to reunite with him at the Doors to Heaven and lead him in were his parents, his son James Scott O’Neil, his daughter Rita Lee Goebel, his sister Carol (Bill) Padgett and beloved tail wagging side kick Cubby.

For almost 80 years God shared one of his most precious angels with us. It was a privilege and a blessing to know JP. His absence will be deeply felt, his presence will be sorely missed.

A memorial service to celebrate the life of James Palmer O’Neil will be held at Rock Presbyterian Church, 122 Rock Church Road NW, Greenwood SC, 29649 on August 31, 2024 at 11:00 AM with light refreshments to follow at the church.

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