Joseph Robert "Jody" O'neal's Obituary
Joseph Robert “Jody” O’Neal, 56, longtime resident of Gainesville, Florida, died at his home on Monday, September 18, 2023.
Jody was born in Palatka, Florida on November 6, 1966, to the late Robert and Audrey O’Neal, and had lived in Gainesville all of his life. He was a graduate of Gainesville High School, and was a longtime employee of Gator Door Company, and most recently of the Gainesville Sun, until ill health forced his retirement. He was of the Baptist faith.
Jody was truly a “gentle giant”; an old soul who loved old westerns and especially Florida Gator football. He was preceded in death by a sister, Beth Templeton in 2017.
He is survived by his sister and her husband Linda and Larry Goolsby of Steinhatchee; a brother-in-law, Edwin Templeton, of Newberry; two nephews, Steve (Drema) Goolsby, of Chiefland and Scott (Amy) Templeton, of Newberry; two nieces, Amy (Gary) Moody, of Gainesville and Stacey (Billy) Wood, of Newberry; several great nieces and nephews also survive.
Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 21, 2023, at 3:00 P. M., in the Chapel of Williams-Thomas Funeral Home Downtown, 404 North Main Street, Gainesville, with Pastor Travis Moody, officiating. Interment will follow in Forest Meadows East.
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