Fred Henry O'Neal, Jr.

Fred Henry O’Neal, Jr. passed away on December 19, 2020, at his home surrounded by family.  He was born on July 31, 1945 to the late Fred Henry O’Neal, Sr. and the late Mary Lee Patterson O’Neal.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Sam and Lucille O’Neal, sisters and brothers-in-law, Nancy O'Neal Ardner, Betty Jane O’Neal Kidd and Kelly Kidd, Steve Branch; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Gaynell and Thomas Dancy.  Left to cherish his memories are his loving wife of 51 years, Faye Davis O’Neal; children, Fred Christopher O’Neal and Amy O’Neal Thorne and her husband Cory; grandchildren, Ammen Mounce of Dobson, Olivia and Parker Thorne of Huntersville; sisters and brother-in-law, Violet and Ray Hill, Linda O’Neal Branch; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Donnie and Janice Davis, Larry and Theresa Davis; and several nieces and nephews.  Fred graduated from Mt. Airy High School, Surry community College and Winston-Salem Business School.  He founded Surry Electric Motors in Mt. Airy, which he operated for 30 years.  He was a member and past Master of Renfro Masonic Lodge in Mt. Airy.  He was also actively involved with Surry County Government where he served four terms as a County Commissioner.  Many of those years he served as Chairman of the Board.  It was during this time that North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt honored Fred by bestowing him The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.  He was instrumental in getting a new courthouse built as well as new school constructions and projects, along with many other county improvements that occurred during his tenure.  Fred enjoyed being outdoors riding and showing his horses, working in his garden and playing with his children and grandchildren.  He was actively involved for many years coaching little league baseball.  Fred was a member of Calvary Baptist Church where he was an active participant in church as well as the Men’s Sunday School Class.  He made an impact on everyone he came in contact with.  His legacy will live on through his children.  A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, December 23, 2020, at 2:00 pm at Skyline Memory Gardens, officiated by Rev. Alex Martin, with full masonic rights by the Renfro Masonic Lodge #691 A.F. & A.M.  Anyone wanting to pay their respects may come by Moody-Davis Funeral Home on Wednesday from 12:00 noon until 1:30 pm.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 401 Technology Lane, Mt. Airy, NC 27030 or to Calvary Baptist Church, 314 Franklin Road, Mt. Airy, NC 27030.