Homer Gerald O'Neil

Mr. Homer Gerald O'Neil, age 71, of Ocean Springs, MS., died Wednesday, July 19, 2006, in Ocean Springs. Mr. O'Neil was a native of Quitman, MS., and had been a coast resident for the past 40 years. He was a band director in Mississippi schools for 18 years, nine years at Heidelberg High School and nine years at Long Beach High School. He was the vice-president and store manager for Mississippi Music, Inc. for 25 years and was currently the president of the American Federation of Musicians, Local #777. Mr. O'Neil was also the bandleader of "The Today Big Band", a Dixieland Band and a Brass Quintet. He was a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Bachelors and Masters degree in music and was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ocean Springs. Mr. O'Neil is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gay T. O'Neil of Ocean Springs, MS., two sons, Gerald Wayne "Geri" O'Neil of Florence, MS., and Hugh Leslie O'Neil and wife, Valerie Joyce, of San Diego, CA., and a granddaughter. Visitation will be on Thursday, July 20, 2006, from 6-8 PM, at the Ocean Springs Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home. On Friday, July 21, 2006, there will be a 10:00 AM chapel service in the funeral home, with a 2:30 PM burial in W.S. Taylor Cemetery, Jones County, Indian Springs Rd., in the Calhoun Community. In lieu of flowers the family prefers donations be made to the Music Ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Ocean Springs, 921 Ocean Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS., 39564. View and sign register at www.bradfordokeefe.com.