Frank Charles O'Neil

Frank Charles O'Neil, Jr., 66, died Friday, February 27, 2009 at Hendrick Medical Center in Abilene. Services will be 9 a.m. Wednesday at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, with Rev. Darrell Wood officiating. The graveside service will follow at 2 p.m. in the Dallas/Fort Worth National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Born in Providence, Rhode Island, on April 21, 1942, Frank was the son of the late, Rita G. Robishaw O'Neil and Frank C. O'Neil, Sr. He was a 1959 graduate of Smiley High School in Houston, Texas and attended both the University of Houston and North Harris County College. He served in the U. S. Navy on the USS Los Angeles and USS Hamner from 1959 to 1963, receiving an honorable discharge. Frank was a law enforcement officer with over 38 years of service. He retired as Police Sergeant from the Houston Police Department with 35 years of service. He also served with the Junction, Texas, Police Department and Spring Valley, Texas, Police Department. Accomplishments during his career included serving as the vice president of the Houston Police Academy Class #57 and Dale Carnegie Class #9016; secretary for the Texas Gulf Coast Emergency Management Association; and secretary/treasurer for the Houston Local Planning Committee. He established the Horse Mounted Patrol and the Radar Task Force for the Houston PD, and instituted a chemical database for the Houston PD for police officers responding to scenes of hazardous chemicals. His training included the Harris County Sheriff's Academy and the Houston Police Academy (1972); Federal Emergency Management Courses (State Level DPS); Federal Emergency Management Courses with the National Emergency Management Institute, Emmitsburg, MD, for national preparedness, multi-hazard planning, and being a radiological trainer; Radiological Safety Courses by the Texas Health Department in radiological monitoring, response team, defense officers, and monitor instruction; and incident command and industrial fire fighting with the Lamar University Department of Health. Frank was an instructor in recognizing and identifying hazardous materials for first responders, Level I; all radiological safety courses offered by the Division of Radiation Control; and emergency preparedness, disaster scene search and preservation of evidence at Lamar University. He was the recipient of many awards including the Good Conduct Medal, U.S. Navy, letters of appreciation in Houston PD file, Chief of Police Commendations, and the Human Relation and Reporting Award from Dale Carnegie Institute. His affiliations included the Texas Gulf Coast Emergency Management Association, National Coordinating Council on Emergency Management, National Association of Emergency Planners, Houston Local Emergency Planning Committee, Houston Police Officers Association, Emergency Management Association of Texas, Houston Police Retired Officers Association, Veterans of the USS Los Angeles, and Blue Knights MC Club-Chapter 23. Frank's hobbies included fishing, furniture refinishing, antiques, and ownership of a gift and collectible shop. He was a member of the Lutheran faith. Survivors include his wife, Gloria Fanous O'Neil of Abilene; brother, Thomas B. O'Neil of San Leon, Texas; sisters, Pat A. McMenemy and husband, Guy, of Cypress, Texas, and Carolyn Couch and husband, Wayne, of Eatonton, Georgia; Michael O'Neil; numerous nieces and nephews; and extended family. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society for Mesothelioma Research, 209 S. Danville, Bldg B - Suite 107, Abilene, Texas 79605.