Sonny Jim O'Neal
Wenatchee, Washington
December 2, 2007

Sonny O'Neal, 67, passed away on December 2, 2007, in Central Washington Hospital of complications arising from Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemaia (CLL), a disease for which there is no known cure. Sonny has lived every day to the fullest since diagnosis of CLL ten years ago. His passing was peaceful, encircled by his immediate family with song, prayer, scripture, laughter and reminiscences of a life beautifully lived. Though the CLL gradually reduced his energy level in the final few years, Sonny continued to enjoy time and favorite activities with his wife, his sons and their wives, his grandchildren and his many friends. He loved to ski, travel, spend time in the wilderness areas he so treasured, go fishing and cheer on his grandchildren in their sporting events, musical performances and milestone accomplishments. Sonny dedicated his life to public service and was an active member of the Wenatchee community for 20 years. He volunteered his precious remaining time to many different organizations; Rotary Club - community development, Habitat for Humanity, Boy Scouts of America, Chelan-Douglas Land Trust, First United Methodist Church, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, Hurricane Katrina Relief, youth mentorship programs and many others.

Sonny was born in his home in Murfreesboro, AR, in 1940. He was an all-state football player in high school. Sonny married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Featherston, while in college at Arkansas A&M. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in forest management. Sonny and Joyce welcomed three sons into their lives and built many deep, long-lasting friendships in the numerous communities they served. Sonny's career gave them the opportunity to live in Price, UT; Moab, UT; Logan, UT; Escalante, UT; Pocatello, ID; Jackson, WY; Laramie, WY and Wenatchee. He enjoyed working as a public servant with the USDA Forest Service for 40 years, retiring in 2003. Sonny began his career as a junior forester and rose through a variety of ranger, staff and supervisor jobs. Prior to retirement, he was supervisor of one of the largest, most complex national forest units in the United States - the Wenatchee and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forests. His many accomplishments are a testament to the dedication and respect he always had for public service and the protection of public lands for future generations. He truly loved his work and the people he worked with.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, Roy and Myrtle O'Neal; siblings, Jackie, Roy, Jurdon and Jerry. He is survived by siblings, Billy and Perry of Arkansas; wife, Joyce (Featherston) O'Neal; sons, Mike, Mark and Matt; and grandchildren, Maisha, Javen, Jameson, Christian, Max and Blaise.

Public viewing is Sunday, December 9, 2007, from 2 to 7 p.m. at Jones & Jones~Betts Funeral Home, 302 9th Street, Wenatchee. Public funeral service is Monday, December 10, 2007, 11:00 a.m., at Wenatchee First United Methodist Church, 941 Washington Street, Wenatchee. Private family interment is December 11, 2007, at Evergreen Cemetery. Rather than send flowers or gifts, you may consider making a donatioon to any of the following charitable organizations that were important to Sonny: Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - CLL Research; Chelan-Douglas Land Trust; Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center; National Fallen Firefighters Foundation; Wenatchee First United Methodist Church or Monito United Methodist Church Building Fund.