Denver Franklin O’Neal Jr.
Denver Franklin O’Neal Jr.
December 3, 1933 — January 1, 2018
Denver was born to Denver Franklin O'Neal Sr. and Ella Mae Weber O'Neal on Dec. 3, 1933, in Gonzales County, Texas. Named Denver Franklin O'Neal Jr., he was affectionately called "June" for the remainder of his life by close family members and many nieces and nephews. Denver went to his Lord, Jan. 1, 2018, at 84 years old, in Marble Falls, Texas, after a long battle with Parkinson's disease.
Settling along O’Neill Creek in Leesville, Texas, Denver’s family came to Texas in the 1830s. The O’Neals that settled Texas were a hard-working resilient bunch and Denver was no different. He worked hard at everything he ever did and did every job well. Denver attended school in Leesville and was an All-State football and track star for Nixon High School. He was thin, but who wasn’t in post-recession Texas, and Denver was lightning fast. He was lighting fast for the rest of his life.
He married his high school sweetheart, Bobbie Murphy, at the age of 17. Never was a couple more in love. They shared the next 66 years together along with their children: Damon Denver O'Neal and his wife Donna, Daryl Dwayne O'Neal and his wife Jena; and Dani Denise O'Neal Barrington and her husband John.
Denver was in the floor-covering business in Austin for more than 60 years. He owned and operated O'Neal Floors in Austin, and at its peak, had a total of five stores and carpeted everything from St David’s Hospital to St. Edwards University, along with literally thousands of homes in Central Texas. Later, Denver owned Texas Floors and, years after retiring from conventional flooring, he started Asbestos Flooring Removal Inc. and became certified in the removal of asbestos flooring. He worked up until three years prior to his passing.
Denver was the one you could call in the middle of the night, and many did, and he would come to the rescue no matter what the emergency or circumstances. Denver gave away money to those in need, loaned anything anyone ever needed, helped those who couldn’t help themselves and many times didn’t have the funds to do so himself. He would go without so others wouldn’t, and you would never know it because he was rich in life.
He lived the last 25 years in Kingsland, Texas. The property he loved and cared for constantly is part of a small neighborhood off LBJ on Lake Kingsland. He planted 10 oak trees and created an oasis out of nothing and that quickly became his passion. He watered, nurtured, and fertilized the trees, and they grew tall and strong in his care. He wouldn't ever admit it, but on several occasions, people saw him trimming those trees with nail clippers. He sat in their shade and drank a cool beer while watching his grandchildren play under those heavy branches. Then he watched his great grandchildren play among the leaves and swings that hung from the trees, and on occasion became involved in games of roly poly or may just jump in the pond.
Denver had a large extended family, many friends, acquaintances, and loved ones. He couldn't sit still when country music was playing, dancing across many sawdust floors with Bobbie. Barbecue ribs were among his favorite foods, and he perfected his own recipe for Crock-Pot style ribs.
He was loved by all that knew him and will be greatly missed, including his beloved poodle Zsa Zsa.
In addition to Bobbie Murphy O'Neal, Damon Denver O'Neal, Daryl Dwayne O'Neal and Dani Denise O'Neal Barrington, Denver is survived by his grandchildren, Dawn Donette O'Neal Garner and husband Robert Henry Garner II, Dev'n Damryn O'Neal Morrison and husband Damon Matthew Morrison, Denver Franklin O'Neal III and wife Jennie O'Neal, Demi Denae Barrington, McKenly Murphy O'Neal, and Ella Rose O'Neal; great-grandchildren, Briana Nicole Morrison, Ashlyn Kay Garner, Emma Brook Morrison, Ainsley Grace Garner, Robert Henry Garner III (Trey), Henry Wayne O'Neal, Paxton Riker Morrison, Baby Boy O'Neal due any day, and many foster great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents Denver Franklin O'Neal Sr. and Ella Mae Weber O'Neal; his sister, Ada Louise O'Neal Stock; and his brother, Weber Wayne O'Neal.
Pallbearers include Larry O'Neal, Bobby O'Neal, Joe Michael O'Neal, Damon Matthew Morrison, Robert Henry Garner II (Hank), and John Barrington Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Vernon Wattinger III (Trey), Ken Hill, John Oates, Walter O'Neal (Sonny), David Lynn Stock, Albert Barba, Michael Murphy, Jeffery Murphy, Gregory Murphy, Douglas Murphy, and Randall Beaman.
Services will be held this Sunday, Jan. 7, at Cook Walden/Forest Oaks in Oak Hill. Visitation is at 1 p.m. and the service will start at 2 p.m. Pastor Robert Billingslea and pastor Hank Garner will preside.
Denver wasn't much for flowers but he was a fan of this church and their good work, so in Denver’s name please make donations in his name to: Packsaddle Fellowship Church, 508 Ranch Road 2900, Kingsland, TX 78639, 325-388-8202.
