James Larry O'Neal, or mostly known as "Poppy-O", was a loving man. He was born in Port Arthur, Texas to James and Ruby O'Neal on November 15, 1950 and departed this life in League City, Texas on August 10, 2026. He was a great husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He adored his wife Judy and would move heaven and earth if she asked him to. Judy becoming sick herself would also tear him to pieces in the last year of his life
He loved fishing, music, steak, and yelling at the news. He loved fishing, often going with his close friend, Mike Swafford, who was more like a brother than a friend. He enjoyed fishing so much that he took his sons, Timmy and Paul, on a few-day fishing boat trip on a fishing yacht into the Gulf. He was adventurous, having worked on a boat in his teenage years, then managed to almost get kicked off the boat in South Africa, followed by promptly quitting when returning to Galveston.
He was a hard worker, often working overtime while at Texaco and then later at Motiva. He also spent a stint working on the northern slope of Alaska in the Arctic Circle. That adventurous spirit remained as he traveled to Hawaii, Miami, El Salvador, New York, and Yellowstone with Judy, his son Timmy, and his wife Olma. He enjoyed all of these things, but what he enjoyed the most was seeing his grandchildren smile. He would spoil them rotten, bringing them whatever food, cookie, or drink they wanted. He made it his life goal to bring all of them to Disney World, which he accomplished in 2021. His love for music also never left, even after he became severely ill.
While in the ICU, his daughter-in-law, Olma, was reading a book by Santana. He told her he always wanted to see Santana, so they made a deal that if he got out of the ICU, they would go see Santana together in Las Vegas. He was discharged from the Hospital and went to see Santana 3 months later in Vegas. Outside of death, that would be the last big adventure.
James is survived by his wife, Judy O'Neal also, his son, Timothy O'Neal, daughter-in-law, Olma O'Neal, and his stepsons, Paul E. Bienvenue and Jeff Rankin. James was the beloved grandfather to Maya O'Neal, Lauren O'Neal, Ciara Newsom, Braelyn Bienvenue, Dylan Rankin, and Kaylen Rankin.
James is preceded in death by his parents, James Earl and Ruby Keith O'Neal.
Family and friends will be celebrating the life and memory of James with a visitation on Saturday, August 15, 2026 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Melancon Levingston Funeral Home, 5601 39th Street, Groves, Texas.