Final Salute

Thomas Patrick O’Neill, age 76, of Houston, Texas, was called home to the Lord on November 17, 2025, after an intensive battle with lung cancer. He was born on August 21, 1949, in Houston, Texas, to the late Thomas Edward O’Neill and Charlene Phyllis Rhoden.

After graduating from Robert E. Lee High School, Thomas joined the U.S. Navy, serving from 1967 to 1973. He served in the Navy Seabees during the Vietnam War and earned the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. During his deployment, he served in Vietnam, Diego Garcia, and Guam. Thomas defended and served his country proudly; he received a Vietnam Service Medal and Presidential Unit Citation at the end of the war.

Once he left the Navy, Thomas returned to Houston. On December 2, 1978, he married Theresa Ramsay of Pryor, Oklahoma, at Inwood Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. They were married for 47 years, and had three children: Michael, Robert, and Angela. Thomas was a devoted, selfless father and husband. As a father and husband, Thomas always prioritized his family, no matter the circumstances.

Throughout his life, Thomas had many passions. He loved spending time with his family, studying Texas History, and watching classic films. When he wasn’t reading his Texas History books, he was gardening and taking care of his yard. Thomas knew endless facts about Texas; from the Texas Revolution to the history of roads in Houston, he could talk about Texas History for hours on end. Thomas greatly loved spending time with his grandchildren, attending their events, and taking them to historical places. Thomas loved to tell a great story, whether it was about Texas or the many anecdotes from his life growing up.

Thomas is survived by his wife Theresa; son Michael, son Robert (Ida), and daughter Angela; his grandchildren Michaela, Julietta, Alexandria, Matthew, Caleb, and Isaac; brother Mark, brother Kirk (Jonathan), and brother Tim (Karen); and nephew Mark Shannon (Marrissa) and nephew Douglas. Thomas is preceded in death by his parents Thomas and Charlene; sister in-law Candyce; and niece Meghan.

Memorial service will be held on December 18, 2025, at 10:30 AM at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 5000 W Tidwell Rd, Houston, TX, 77091. Interment with military honors will be at Houston National Cemetery, 10410 Veterans Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77038, on December 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM.