Kevin Walter O'Neal

Kevin O’Neal is the son of Sharon O’Neal, the brother of Elizabeth and Keith Henneke, uncle to Hardy and Hunt Henneke, nephew to Cecilia Hemme, Marcia O'Neal Ozkan and Ersin Ozkan, Dan O'Neal and Stephanie O'Neal, and Monica O'Neal, and cousin to Greg Hemme, Doug Hemme, Marcia Nale, Matthew Monroe Oneal, Misty Ozkan and John Ozkan. He was adored by his grandmother Rosita Huckeba, grandfather Walter Huckeba, uncles Michael O’Neal and Fred Hemme, and his sister’s father Stump Hardy, who we are confident greeted him at the pearly gates with a warm hug and a plan for mischief.

It may not be traditional to list uncles, aunts, cousins, and adopted family in obituaries, but Kevin was never traditional about how he loved. From the start, Kevin’s warm, impish smile and zest for fun attracted a devoted following. By preschool, the teachers complained that wherever Kevin went, fun was had--sometimes unsanctioned fun--and could we please teach him to rein it in. We didn’t then and couldn’t through the end. To know Kevin was to love him, to want to be near him, to join him at the latest concert or the upcoming bike ride.

And many people did join him. Kevin collected dozens of friends who called him brother and counted upon him to be there for the important moments of their lives. Had Kevin written a farewell to all of those whom he called family he would have named more here, personally acknowledging those who filled his life with joy. Alex, Micah, JJ, Johnny, Dylan, Janee, Ashlee and Jeffrey, the list would have gone on and on.

In the end, though, it was his relationship to his mother and Hardy and Hunt, his nephews, that exemplified Kevin’s true heart. Kevin was devoted to his mother, Sharon O’Neal. They spoke or texted daily sharing the big and little things in life: what should he do about a job offer, and did she have a recommendation for a frozen pizza? Not only did they love each other, they enjoyed each other’s company and could often be found cozy on the couch watching TV. It’s rare that a son can also be a best friend, or a mother a confidant. But these two shared a special bond that is unbreakable even today.

Kevin was also an incredible and devoted uncle. He rarely missed a swim match, a family dinner, and sent silly emoji text messages to his boys. The moment Kevin walked in the room, at least one of them was in his lap, climbing over his shoulders, or begging to hear about his latest adventure. And when he decided to make an “illegal” break from the hospital during his first stay, he grabbed two things: his IV bag and the photos of the boys. When they caught him in the hall, he explained, “Well I had to have the boys with me.”

Kevin’s devotion did not end with his little family, however, as he proudly served his community as a sailor in the United States Navy and was honored to be a part of the 7% of Americans who have worn the military uniform.

Kevin faced his mortality just a short time before his death, when he narrowly survived a skateboarding accident. He knew that getting back onto a motorcycle would be risky, but he always lived life on his own terms, in his own way, guided by a heart that had an immense capacity for love and a thirst for adventure. The week before his death, Kevin reminded his sister that we never know when it is our time to move on and declared that we needed to live life to its fullest. He did just that, leaving this world filled with the love and adventure that had carried him throughout his life.

Our hearts are breaking that Kevin only got 27 years in this world. But what a way to use those years and what a legacy he has left behind.

Come celebrate Kevin’s life September 4, 2021, at County Line BBQ at the Lake, Grand Pavilion, 5204 Ranch Rd 2222, Austin, Texas 78731 from 11:45 a.m.-2:45 p.m. There will be a memorial ride from Revival Cycles (South Congress Hotel) beginning at 11:00 a.m., details to follow. Please no flowers or fuss, just good BBQ, music and Kevin’s favorite people.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldenfuneralhome.com for the O'Neal family.