The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Larry O’Neal, of Cathlamet, WA died May 10, 2014 in Olympia, WA from lung cancer.

Larry was born in Ashland, Kentucky on March 27, 1928. His family moved to the Northwest when he was a child and eventually settled in the Seattle area. He graduated from Highline High School in 1946. He entered the Marine Corps that year and was honorably discharged at the end of WWII. He attended Olympic Junior College and Central Washington University. He graduated from CWU with a degree in botany and a teaching certificate.

Larry married Joyce McClellan on June 24, 1951 in Bremerton, WA. He taught math, coached and was later the Athletic Director for the Highline School District. After retiring from Highline, he went to work for The Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. He planned and ran many high school state tournaments over the years. He was instrumental in the creation of “Mat Classic,” the current format for the state high school wrestling tournament. One of his proudest moments was when his grandson wrestled in “Grandpa’s tournament.”

After retiring from WIAA, he and his wife, Joyce, moved to Cathlamet. There he got to enjoy his favorite pastimes of gardening, fishing, and especially golfing. He golfed as much as he possibly could at Skyline golf course and made many friends. Larry was a very outgoing and friendly person and was known for his storytelling. Everyone he met was considered his good friend.

He was preceded in death by his parents, T.W. and Hazel O’Neal, and his brothers Eugene O’Neal and Col. Joe O’Neal. He is survived at home by his wife of 63 years, Joyce McClellan O’Neal; son Steve O’Neal and wife Saundra of Auburn, WA; son Terry O’Neal of Snohomish, WA; daughters Lorri O’Neal of Renton, WA and Mindy Doumit and husband Mark of Tumwater, WA; grandchildren Keith, Corey, LeaAnn, Shannon, Matt, Ben and David; and great grandchildren Lexi, Layne, Kailin, Cassidy and Camden; and a sister, Lois Thompson of Vancouver, WA.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31 at 2:00 p.m. at Dowling Funeral Home in Cathlamet. Memorial contributions may be made to Cathlamet Fire Department, First Aid Division, P.O. Box 142, Cathlamet, WA 98612. Dowling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

- Paid Obituary -