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Cecil O'Neal

Profile Updated: April 14, 2023
Residing In:
La Chapelle Gonaguet, France France
Spouse/Partner:
Rebecca Young
Occupation:
Professor Emeritus, Meadows School of the Arts, SMU
Military Service:
Army  
Comments:

I spent the summer of 1961 working at my job at the Banner Gas station (cheapest gas in town, 29.9 a gallon at that time) on the corner of 63rd and 22nd. Jim Zaleski, Peter Gentile and I were fellow "Banner Boys". That fall I could not afford to go away to university so John Sturino and I joined the army, at the height of the Berlin crisis, on the "Buddy System" and went through basic training together.

On our first leave home after basic John asked me to rough up some senior who was giving his then girlfriend a hard time. John couldn't do it himself, because the guy was about my size and John thought he would have seemed too much of a bully taking on someone that much smaller.

After three years in the army, including about a year in Germany, and a bit of time bumming around Europe, I came back to kenosha and started university, first at the "extension", then in Madison. I received a BA in Political Science from U

Cecil's Latest Interactions

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Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
May
07
May 07, 2026 at 11:14 AM

Happy Birthday, Paul. I hope you have a grand day. Looking forward to seeing you and Mary Beth at the 65th.

Cheers,
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
Apr
06
Apr 06, 2026 at 8:54 AM

Happy Birthday a day late, Buddy. It is a long way from those two 18 year-old kids in Basic Training in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. I drove by Leonard Wood a few times driving from Dallas to Kenosha. Hope you had a great day!

Cheers,
Cecil

Feb
18
Feb 18, 2026 at 2:33 PM

Hello Henry,

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes. I hope all is well in your world.
Best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
Feb 18, 2026 at 2:30 PM

Hello Suzette,

Thanks so much for the lovely Birthday message. We, too, are in Florida. Sounds likie we are missing a hell of a winter in Wisconsin.

We are planning to be in Kenosha for the reunion, but it does not look like there is a way to register yet.

Send me your email address and phone number if you are willing. That way we can communicate without going through the class sight. Mine are coneal@smu.edu and 214-675-5579.

Much love,
Cecil

Feb
16
Feb 16, 2026 at 5:45 PM

Happy Birthday Cecil. Hope you're enjoying your day. Stay safe.

Cecil O'Neal has a birthday today.
Feb 16, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
Jan
05
Jan 05, 2026 at 9:36 AM

Happy Birthday, Connie! I hope you have a fantastic day..

XO
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
Dec
30
Dec 30, 2025 at 4:06 PM

Happy birthday, Ken. Hope you are having a fantastic day!

Best,
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
Oct
08
Oct 08, 2025 at 10:35 AM

Hey Zales,

Happy Birthday from rural France! Hope you are having a fantastic day. Looking forward to seeing you in July.

Best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.
Sep
22
Sep 22, 2025 at 8:47 AM

Posted on: Sep 17, 2025 at 11:45 AM

Happy Birthday, Rita! Hope you are having a fantastic day.

XO
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.
Sep
10
Sep 10, 2025 at 4:45 PM

Posted on: Sep 10, 2025 at 9:37 AM

Happy Birthday, Nancy! I hope you have a glorious day.

XO
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.
Aug
13
Aug 13, 2025 at 7:18 AM

Posted on: Aug 12, 2025 at 9:38 AM

Hey Tom,

I'm a couple fo days early, but my birthday wishes for you are none the less sincere. I hope you have a grand day on the Thursday. I will toast you from afar. Happy Birthday, my friend.

XO
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.
Aug
12
Aug 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM

Posted on: Aug 12, 2025 at 9:36 AM

Dear Suzette,

Wishing you a very Happy Birthday. You are such a special person and I am so happy that I have known you in this life. Have a grand day and I hope to see you soon.

Much love,
C

Cecil O'Neal posted a message.
Feb 21, 2025 at 1:40 PM

Hi Jim,

Thanks so much for your birthday wishes. It is always great to hear from you. Yes, the only person who has traveled further for a reunion was probably the late Frank Wells. He traveled all the way from Australia on year. We always enjoy the reunions so much. Looking forward to 2026.

All the best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal posted a message. New comment added.
Feb 22, 2025 at 9:05 AM

Posted on: Feb 21, 2025 at 1:33 PM

Dear Rita,

Thanks so much for your birthday wishes. I, too, am consistently late with these things. I often say that the only thing I get better at as I age is procrastination. :)

Yes we feel lucky to be living in France at this time, not that Europe is without its own problems. I look forward to telling you how we ended up there.

We are also looking forward to the 2026 reunion. In the meantime, come visit us in France.

XO
C

Feb 16, 2025 at 5:15 PM

Happy Birthday Cecil. Hope your enjoying the day spending it with family and friends. Stay safe.

Cecil O'Neal has a birthday today. New comment added.
Feb 16, 2025 at 1:15 PM

Posted on: Feb 16, 2025 at 4:33 AM

Cecil O'Neal has left an In Memory comment for Thomas Fugette.
Dec 25, 2024 at 8:08 AM

Rest in peace, my old friend.  You will be sorely missed.

Cecil O'Neal posted a message on Bill Mayew's Profile. New comment added.
Oct 18, 2024 at 11:55 AM

Posted on: Oct 18, 2024 at 11:26 AM

Happy Birthday, William. i hope you have a grand, celebratory day. It is a chilly, damp evening here in rural France. I just built a fire in the fireplace. I am going to mix myself a martini and sit in front of the fire with a good book. Rebecca is in Louisville. Her mother died Tuesday evening at 101 years old. Becky was able to be with her for the last week of her life. Come on over. I'll make you a martini as well and we can sit in front of the fire and toast your 81st.

Best,
Cecil

Cecil O'Neal added a comment on his Profile.
Oct 15, 2024 at 8:49 AM
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Posted: Dec 17, 2013 at 1:02 AM