SOUTHPORT — It is with heavy hearts and tremendous sadness that the O’Neal family announces the passing of Stanley Alexander “Sambo” O’Neal, 47, due to complications from a gastrointestinal disorder. He passed suddenly at home surrounded by his loving family. At a height of 6’7″, he was sometimes referred to as “Moose” by many of his friends and was truly a gentle giant, always willing to help anyone in need.
He attended South Brunswick High School from 1985 to 1989, where he excelled in basketball and baseball. In fact, branding player #44, he played the positions of pitcher and first baseman and was on the 1988 State Champion Cougar Baseball Team. In addition to sports, he also loved fishing with family and friends. He was especially fond of jigging for flounder using his bucktail rod in the creeks of the Cape Fear River. After high school, he furthered his education at Mount Olive College, the first in his family to attend any institution of higher learning. He graduated in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business and subsequently embarked on a career in home sales.
In 2015, Sambo married Dr. Chantal Antwynette of Southport. He loved fishing with her; she was his “croaker girl,” and he was her “flounder boy.” He is survived by three stepchildren, Naya, Shaun and Angelina Rivera, from his wife’s previous marriage. Sambo is also survived by his parents, David O’Neal and Julia Melovidov O’Neal of St. Paul’s Island, Alaska; two sisters, Susan (James) Pearson and Sarah O’Neal; brother, Joey O’Neal; two nieces, Erin (Justin) Thaden and Zoya Pearson; nephew, D. Jerrod O’Neal; aunt, Neal Watkins; great-aunt, Betty Hewett, all of Southport; many members of the Melovidov and Fratis families from Alaska and Arizona; as well as an abundance of loving cousins and friends.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m.,Tuesday, April 9, at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service, Southport. Graveside services will be held at 3 p.m., Wednesday, April 10, at Northwood Cemetery with the Rev. Charles Drew officiating.
Memorials and condolences may be sent to the family at 1192 Zack St., Bolivia, NC 28422. Share online condolences with the family at Peacock-Newnam & White Funeral and Cremation Service.
