Patrick George O’Neill passed away peacefully in his home on June 29, 2026 at the age of 96.

Born on a ranch in rural Montana during the Great Depression, Patrick excelled in school developing a love for learning, music, art, photography, ornithology, horticulture, painting and dreamed of traveling and exploring new places, especially the South Pacific. He became a notable sharpshooter while earning money from local ranchers by hunting pests that endangered the horses and damaged the crops. Through the encouragement of his high school teacher, he wrote J Edgar Hoover at the FBI headquarters requesting data to help with a class research project and was thrilled to receive a personal letter back along with a trove of data for his project.

Growing up, Patrick worked on the ranch & farm. He also worked in construction and became proficient as a mechanic, electrician and electronic technician. He ultimately decided to pursue a teaching career and started teaching in rural Montana. He served in the US Army and was an Atomic Veteran having contributed to the Castle Bravo Nuclear test in the South Pacific, an assignment fulfilling his dream of seeing that part of the world. He returned to Montana to finish his degree in education during which time a highlight of his English classes included meeting Robert Frost and having one of Frost’s poems dedicated to him by the notable poet himself. He was also from time to time called for assignments with the US Marshals Service which resulted in some interesting creative writing stories for his college English class. He enjoyed singing at different events in college.

Patrick married Susan in 1959 and shortly after they moved to Oregon to start a new life together. In Oregon, he finished his Master’s Degree in Education and continued a distinguished career in Eugene’s Bethel school district as a teacher and district psychometrist focusing on special education programs until retirement.

Outside his career in the field of education, Patrick had many interests and hobbies when he was not camping with his family. He enjoyed woodworking projects resulting in some of his works featured in magazine articles. He loved riding his motorcycle through the scenic routes of the greater Northwest and enjoyed serving as a judge for the local Rose Society and at the Concours d’Elegance Car Shows.

After retirement Patrick turned his hobby as a clockmaker into a successful business and offered clock repair classes for interested clients. Later on he added a side business producing Gallery Photos which were sold in his clock shop and other venues throughout Western Oregon. He completed extensive work on his family genealogy and authored a book titled Popcorn in a Pillowcase, a nonfiction book written with humor from his viewpoint as a child growing up on a ranch in Montana during the Great Depression.

Of all his notable life experiences and achievements, the most important one was when at the age of 93, Patrick finally heard and embraced the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His life changed from that moment on as he experienced a new peace and forgiveness which he extended to others as he was filled with thanksgiving, joy and the assurance of where he was going for eternity.

Patrick is survived by his son Steve (Japhlet), grandson Daniel and daughter Kathleen. At his request, no service will be held.