US Navy Beach Jumpers Assoc.

Earl W. O'Neal, Jr., 87, passed away May 26, 2017. Born in Philadelphia in 1929, Earl led a long and impactful life. He served in the U.S. Navy Reserve for four years, retired from the U.S. Army, and is a Korean War Veteran. In between his service, he participated in nuclear power research, held a career in engineering, and ran his own business. He and his late wife, Delores Collins, retired on Ocracoke Island, NC where he served on 10+ different committees, wrote 25+ books and articles, and received more than five awards for his genealogy and historical research of the Outer Banks. He is survived by two children, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren, and two great great grandchildren. A service will be held on Ocracoke Island June 24, 2017 @ 2:00pm at the United Methodist Church. For more information or to send condolences, please email koneal457@gmail.com

Earl W. O’Neal Jr., Historian - Author Ocracoke Island, NC Honorary Associate Member d. May 26, 2017 In 2007, I had the honor to meet Earl in a telephone conversation with regard to Loop Shack Hill on Ocracoke Island, NC which was the home of a Navy base that was used for the training of US Navy Beach Jumpers during World War II. Within the first several minutes of conversation with him, it was decided that a fundraising campaign would be held by our association to raise enough to place a memorial marker in honor of all Beach Jumpers at the Loop Shack Hill location on Highway 12 Ocracoke Island. Earl O’Neal was a remarkable person, helping to cut through much of the bureaucratic red tape on our behalf, since Loop Shack Hill was now under the control of the National Park Service, so it was much more than a one- two step process. The association raised the money needed to purchase the monument (marker) engraved by and placed on site by Clifton & Clifton Monument Co. Elizabeth City, NC. and in 2009 an official unvealing and dedication took place along with our reunion. Earl O’Neal was approved for Honorary Associate membership by the Board of Directors on May 3, 2008 and was presented with a plaque of appreciation for his efforts in facilitating this project.

U.S. Navy Beach Jumpers Association (727) 4-USNBJA