Richard O'Neal

Rik Curtis O'Neal passed away on May 6, 2019 in Portales, NM. He was born December 27, 1952 in Portales, NM to Pete O'Neal and Rosala Hinther O'Neal, who preceded him in death.

Rik was born and raised in Portales and graduated from Portales High School. He joined the Army in 1970 where he served in Germany as a linguist. On June 12, 1995 he married his soulmate Jackie Cameron. Rik loved reading and was all about music of many genres which included Bob Dylan, The Beatles, Willie Nelson, John Prine and many others. He enjoyed watching birds and loved all animals, including snakes. Rik loved playing the ‘Who's This" game with both his kids and grandkids, where he expected them to know the band or singer in a song. From the age of 15 he was never without a job. Always a gentleman and taught his kids and grandkids to be respectful and polite. Rik also taught his kids and grandkids to work hard for what they wanted in life. He religiously donated to St. Jude's for the children.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Jackie O'Neal of the family home in Portales, NM; sons Jed O'Neal of Portales, NM, Keim O'Neal (Christy) of Los Cruces, NM, Arliss O'Neal of Portales, NM, and his inherited son Jay Griffis of Portales, NM; his inherited daughters Gina Holmes (Shawn) of Frisco, TX and Jada Roland (Joe) of Levelland, TX; twelve grandchildren and three plus great-grandchildren. Also surviving him are many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held at Central Christian Church in Portales.

Those honored to be honorary pallbearers are his granddaughters Kaylee Strawn, Autumn Rowland Makinsey Holmes, Jessica McMath, Sara Griffis and Maddie O'Neal and his grandsons Trey Holmes, Kelby O'Neal, Xavier Rowland, Tucker Roland, Tyler Griffis and Kallen O'Neal.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to the New Mexico Christian Children's Home, 1356 New Mexico 236, Portales, NM 88130.

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