Obituary of Richard Lee O'Neil

Richard Lee "Dick" O'Neil was born on November 25, 1932 to Charles William O’Neil and Minnie Oda Brasher. He died peacefully of natural causes on February 10, 2023. He is survived by his spouse, Karen O’Neil, his children, T. Greg O’Neil, Brad (Melanie) O’Neil, and Allison (Anthony) O’Neil, and his grandchildren, Tyler O’Neil and McKenzie O’Neil.

Dick was the youngest of seven siblings. After his mother passed away when he was only nine years old, he and his dad became a tight, two-person family unit, as his brothers and sister had grown up and moved away. Dick's older brothers moved to San Diego in the mid 1940's. They called California "God's Country" and told Dick and Charles Senior they must join them, and that they did. Dick spent many years in San Diego where he developed childhood friendships and where his dad taught him self-reliance and instilled a strong work ethic. As a teenager, he developed a passion for working on cars and learned to dismantle car engines and rebuild them.

When he was 17 years old, he convinced his dad to sign a waiver to allow him to sign up with the U.S. Army. An aptitude test pointed him in the direction of the signal corps where he became a morse code operator entrusted with classified communications. He took pride in completing his GED through the Army and took several college courses.

After an honorable discharge from the Army, he entered the business world and became a successful salesman. He soon met his first wife, Beverly Hansen (from Monte Vista, Colorado). They had two boys, Greg and Brad, but after several years of marriage, they divorced amicably.

After moving to Denver with his tenacious work ethic and amiable persona, he quickly rose through the ranks and managed several businesses. Eventually, he started his own business, the highly successful Standard Paint Company with three stores in the Denver metro area.

Several years later, he met a nurse he fell in love with, Karen Toberer. They married and had a daughter, Allison. A couple of years later, he embarked on the construction of the home he always imagined.

The house he built in 1972 was his pride and joy until the very end. He especially loved taking care of the ⅔ acre yard where he could regularly be seen happily riding his lawn mower and slinging hoses to water it. The yard and his home to this day are a jewel of the neighborhood.

He loved to golf and he was very good at it, winning the admiration of his fellow golfers. Next to taking care of his home, golf became his favorite hobby.

Rest in peace, Dick. You lived a rich, full life and were dearly loved by your family.

A Celebration of Life is planned for late Spring.