Paul Murph O'Neal Jr.

He was born in Hartsville, SC in 1942 to Paul Murph O’Neal, Sr. and Lezette Coley O’Neal. Paul attended Hartsville High School before studying Civil Engineering at Georgia Tech in Atlanta, GA.

Paul met the love of his life, Judy Sherron in 1958 at Hartsville High School and that relationship never ended until Paul left this earth. They both graduated from Hartsville High School in 1960. Paul was a key member of the men’s basketball team that captured the High School state championship his senior year. While Judy attended Winthrop College and Paul was at Georgia Tech, they didn’t remain apart for long. They were married in 1962 after their sophomore year and moved to Atlanta while Paul finished his engineering degree. They recently celebrated their 61st wedding anniversary. They had two sons, Paul Scott O’Neal and Patrick Christopher O’Neal.

Paul was passionate about his work. He started his career as a structural engineer with JA Jones Construction in Florida. Following that project, he worked for Lockwood Greene in Spartanburg. Later he worked with Enwright Associates and moved his family to Greenville. Paul always felt led to begin his own engineering firm and in 1975 he and Judy formed O’Neal Engineering, later O’Neal, Inc. The two of them worked side-by-side building the company alongside many dedicated and faithful employees into a major design, construction, and project delivery firm. While they retired from active roles in 1999, Paul remained as Chairman of the Board.

Paul was an active member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for 50 years, serving as an Elder for the church and devoting his time, talents, and energy to the many ministries and mission projects of the church. Paul provided design and construction skills to mission projects in the Dominican Republic, renovation and expansion of the Church Sanctuary, and many other capital projects for the church. In his later years, he was very active in mission projects to help at the Thornwell Children's Home in Clinton, SC and Thornwell's Camp in Sunset, SC. In addition to his church activities, Paul was also involved with many community projects. He volunteered his time and expertise as Project and Construction manager for the McCall Hospice House in Simpsonville and the Cancer Survivors Park in downtown Greenville. He served on the board of Hospice House of Greenville.

All who knew Paul, knew there were three hobbies he was most passionate about: fishing, golf, and watching every Braves and collegiate sporting event possible. Paul was a die hard, lifelong Georgia Tech fan and attempted to attend or watch many of their sports events throughout his life.

His kind and generous spirit will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Paul is survived by his wife, Judy Sherron O’Neal, his sons, Scott and wife Sonya, Chris and wife Michelle, grandsons Taylor, Cole, Camden, and Carter, brother Edwin and wife Sandy.

A memorial service for Paul will be held on November 22, 2023 at 3:00 in the afternoon at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2310 Augusta Street, Greenville, SC. Visitation will be held immediately following the service.

Paul asked any memorials be made to Thornwell Home for Children, 302 S. Broad St, Clinton, SC 29325 or Hospice House of Greenville, 1836 W. Georgia Road, Simpsonville, SC 29680 and Neighborhood Cancer Connection, Attn: Building Fund, 113 Mills Avenue, Greenville, SC 29605.

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