Jon passed away at home in his sleep after an 8-month battle with cancer. Jon was born to Jack O'Neal and Alice O'Neal Swanson in the Scandinavian community of Ballard, Washington where he was raised and attended school. He left Ballard to join the Navy in 1954 to see the world. He circumnavigated the globe aboard the USS Cape Esperance completing 36 months of continuous sea duty as a boiler tender (BT3). Jon had many elaborate stories of his time in the service. After his stint with the Navy, with his sea legs still intact, Jon joined Foss Tug Boats and spent a year on an ocean going tug cruising the inside passage between Seattle and Alaska. Done with the ocean, he came ashore and quickly enjoyed civilian life along with all the jazz clubs including Pete's Poop Deck and the Thunderbird Tavern where he played the bongos with his friends.

When he finally settled down he married Lee Bedell and had three daughters: Taya, Selena and Shannon Zoe. He and his family lived in Lake City and spent many fun times clam digging and enjoying weekends at Jon's mother's cabin on Camano Island. And don't forget The Lake City Squids, 3 guys raising young families and enjoying motorcycling, house parties and all sorts of kid activities.

He started a career at Brennan Supply in 1962 in the warehouse where he worked his way up to outside sales. Western Cabinet and Millwork bought out the company and Jon soon became one of their best salesmen. He made life long friends including Don and Jeannie Curtis. He transferred to Boise, Idaho in 1972 where he became general manager and was later promoted to vice president. He loved the country life Boise offered and watching his daughters learn to ride horses. He became personal friends with many of his customers and stayed in touch throughout the years.

He divorced in 1975 and met the love of his life and future wife Virginia Goitia in 1978. He quickly became involved with Virginia's family and embraced their Basque culture. Jon and Virginia had 34 wonderful years together that included extensive travel to exotic places including China and Hawaii. They had their own motorcycles and shared in explorations of many exciting road trips all over the United States. Jon's favorite and most memorable adventure of a lifetime was the family trip to Norway with his wife, 3 daughters and grandson.

In 1981 when the housing market collapsed in Boise he was transferred back to Woodinville, Washington. In 1982 he was transferred to Odessa, Texas where he became involved in training sales people who were adding Western's cabinet and door lines. In 1983 he moved back to the Seattle area and retired a few years later in Snohomish. Jon spent his now free time fencing their five-acre property where they raised sheep, turkeys, pigeons, chickens, and donkeys.

He loved harvesting wild blackberries and making wine. He began entering his wine at the Evergreen State Fair and soon took home first place and creativity awards ("Time flies when you're having fun unless you're a frog.... then times fun when you're having flies"). He would give his wine to friends and included a plastic fly in every bottle. In 2001 he was awarded "Best of Show" with the humble blackberry. He stopped entering while he was "still on top"..... he and Muhammad Ali.

After a few years of retirement, Jon decided he needed more social interaction. It just so happened that his old friends from his cabinet days Ruth and Hank Miller's son Steve of Enterprise Construction needed a shop steward and buyer. So as luck would have it Jon was available. He grew very close to Steve and a great friendship of mutual admiration ensued. And as Jon would say "It was the best job I ever had".

Yes, Jon said a lot of things to include: "If I was any better I'd be twins." "Are you ready for this one?" "It better be me ...I'm wearing his underwear."

He was preceded in death by his Norwegian grandparents Peter and Marie Meyer, his parents Jack O'Neal and Alice O'Neal Swanson, sister Colleen O'Neal Swift and niece Lynn Rebstock. He is survived by his wife Virginia; daughters Taya O'Neal, Selena O'Neal Wieting (Clarence), Shannon Zoe O'Neal; grandchildren Aaron O'Neal, Selah McLeod, and Jaeda, LaChele, and Josh Wieting; Sister in-law Anita Connor (Bob), Brothers in-law John, Frank and Lui Goitia; nieces Leslie Scott, Suzana Grindle (David): nephews Sean O'Connor (Kim), Patrick Connor (Jessica), Howard Rebstock and many wonderful friends.