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Submitted: 3/14/24 • Approved: 3/14/24 • Last Updated: 3/17/24 • R592730-G592728-S3
Arnold Eugene O’Neil
1918-2009
Please see military marker
Dorothy Dean Sain O’Neil
1919-2018
Please see closeup view
*Photo, courtesy of Rob5380
*Obituary Arnold Eugene O’Neil
The middle of nine children, Arnold Eugene O'Neil was born on September 5, 1918 in Rockland, Pennsylvania to Edna Vogus and Charles Alexander O'Neil. When he was 15 months old, he, his mother and 4 older siblings travelled via the rails along with a family friend and her 5 children to join their husbands in a great new oil adventure in the land of Oklahoma. Arnold was raised in Okmulgee, graduated from Okmulgee High School and attended Oklahoma University.
Arnold faithfully served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in World War II in the frigid Aleutian Islands of Alaska. After the Army, Arnold moved to Midland, Texas, where he worked as a land surveyor. It was in Midland that he met Dorothy Dean ("Dottie") Sain, a perky little brunette who worked at Shell Oil Co. They married in her hometown of Big Spring, Texas, on June 26, 1948, and began their life together in Midland. Their daughter Sharon Elizabeth was born there. Arnold continued his career in accounting and administration in the oil industry during the boom of the 1950's and until his retirement in 1984. Arnold was a man of great integrity, loved his wife and daughter immensely, and had a deep but quiet faith. Raised a Methodist, he eventually joined the Baptist church with Dorothy, and was joyfully baptized in the First Baptist Church of Midland in 1998 at the age of 80. He was a 32nd degree Mason and was a charter member and Secretary for Masonic Lodge #1414 in Midland. He was an active Shriner, past president of the Westside Lions Club, and past president of the Partners' Sunday School Class at FBC. The unfailing love and faithfulness that defined this man were evidenced in the 30 years that he cared for Dorothy after she suffered a devastating stroke. Under his loving nurture they continued to enjoy many wonderful years together, celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary in June of this year.
Arnold and Dorothy moved from Midland to the Austin area in December of 2008 to be closer to their daughter, and both embraced the momentous change with gracious acceptance and anticipation of having their "little family" together again. Ever smiling, always ready with a kind word, and exhibiting his gentle good humor to the very end.
Arnold passed away on Friday, October 2, 2009 at the age of 91. He is proudly survived by his wife Dorothy, daughter Sharon Butler and her husband Daron of Cedar Park, Texas, and one granddaughter, Meghan Elizabeth Butler, of Burlington, Vermont, in whom he found great joy. His "baby sister," Catherine "Kate" Lynch of Nowata, Oklahoma, "baby brother," Laurence Marion "Pat" O'Neil of Edmond, Oklahoma, and numerous nieces and nephews also survive Arnold. Going before him were his Mother and Father, and sisters and brothers, Joseph Andrew O'Neil, Donald Clarke O'Neil, Herbert Charles O'Neil, Esther Louise O'Neil Ward, Forrest Vogus O'Neil, and Marguerite Irene "Peggy" O'Neil Austin.
A memorial service was held on Tuesday at the Smith Chapel at Riverbend Church in Austin. Interment was at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring. The family requested donations in Arnold's memory to the First Baptist Church Midland or the Lighthouse Hospice at Altenheim in Round Rock. "Well done, my good and faithful servant." Go gently, Daddy, into the arms of your God.
Published in the Midland Reporter-Telegram on October 6, 2009
*Obituary Dorothy Dean Sain O’Neil
Dorothy Dean (Sain) O'Neil, lover of the Lord and life, was born in Rio Vista, Texas on December 10, 1919, to Samuel Moore and Rosa Maye (Walton) Sain.
A woman of unshakable faith, she passed into the loving arms of her Savior on August 23, 2018 in Hutto, Texas, at the age of 98.
She was an only child, growing up in Big Spring, Texas, and was a direct descendent of George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia.
"Dottie" loved watching her daddy play baseball for a semi-pro West Texas AAA farm team and spending summers with her grandmother, the director of the Beaumont YWCA, where she spent every day in the building's swimming pool. She loved the water. At Big Spring High School she played the violin in the orchestra and was a member of the pep squad. The post-depression years were difficult, but Dorothy was able to attend one year at Texas Technological College in Lubbock, earning the award as the "Freshman Student Performing the Best Work in the Department of Architecture" in 1940.
She returned to Big Spring where she worked at the First National Bank, and met Arnold O'Neil, a handsome Oklahoma land surveyor. They corresponded at length after his Army service in World War II, and married on June 28, 1948 in Big Spring. They moved to Midland and their daughter, Sharon Elizabeth, was born in 1952. After Sharon started school, Dorothy joined the ranks of the many "stenos" of the day. She capped her career at Gulf Oil Co. (now Chevron) as secretary to the lead attorney in Midland's legal office.
Dottie relished every form of God's beautiful creation, and took much joy honoring it in her many artistic endeavors. In addition to painting, drawing, needlework and original collages, she executed elaborate themed birthday parties for her young daughter and decorations for numerous meetings and events. She would have loved Pinterest!
The O'Neils were faithful members of the First Baptist Church of Midland, where many life-long friendships were made. Dorothy was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star, the Westside Lions Club Auxiliary, and the En Amie Book Review Club. She found an enduring "sisterhood" with the Sewing Club ladies and volunteered for the Museum of the Southwest. In 1978,
Dorothy suffered a debilitating stroke while attending a painting class. She and Arnold continued to enjoy their friends, neighbors, and frequent travels, and moved to Austin in 2009 to be closer to Sharon and her family.
After Arnold's death in 2010, Dorothy shared her smiles and happy nature with all she met, bringing a little sunshine into the lives of the staff members and fellow residents in assisted living and skilled nursing in the Austin area. Although her memory continued to fail her, she was always "having a good day." Every mealtime was a party!
Dorothy is survived by her daughter Sharon and husband Daron Butler of Cedar Park, Texas, granddaughter, Meghan E. Butler of Austin, sisters-in-law Kate Lynch of Nowata, OK, and Judy O'Neil of Edmond, OK, and her extended O'Neil family.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 7, 2018 at 1 p.m. at the Smith Family Chapel at Riverbend Church, 4214 Capital of Texas Hwy. South, Austin. Interment will follow at a later date in Big Spring, Texas.
Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Midland (fbc-midland.org), Alzheimer's Texas (txalz.org), or a charity of your choice.
Published in Austin American-Statesman on Sep. 2, 2018.
Contributed on 3/14/24 by neldapat
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Record #: 592730