Giles Hardeman O'Neal

Giles Hardeman O'Neal, age 78, died at his home on Saturday, March 05, 2016. Mr. O'Neal celebrated life to the fullest, enjoying an eclectic mix of activities including hiking, bicycling, genealogy, history, all things Scottish, barbeque judging, where he had achieved the rank of grand master judge, classical music, reading and all of his most cherished dogs, especially his current boys, Governor and Red. There isn't a dirt road in middle Georgia that he didn't know. Mr. O'Neal was a life-long resident of Macon, son of the late Benjamin Pascal O'Neal, Jr., and the late Margaret Wise O'Neal. He was preceded in death by his much loved, older brother, Benjamin P. O'Neal, III. A graduate of Lanier High School where he was a captain in the R.O.T.C., he received a bachelor's degree in History and a Master's degree in German History from the University of Georgia in Athens, where he had season tickets on the 50 yard line for many years and was a member of the Kappa Alpha Order at the University. He also attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to pursue a Ph.D. in History. He served two years in the United States Coast Guard. Mr. O'Neal returned to Macon where he worked for many years in real estate, most notably as a broker and owner of G. G. Hardeman Real Estate Company and O'Neal Properties. An active member of the community, he was a founding member of the Middle Georgia Historical Society, and served three years on City Council in the early 1980's. He was especially passionate about his commitment to Big Brothers/Big Sisters and Habitat for Humanity, and his commitment to Big Brother/Big Sisters lasted for over fifty years, including a term as president of the board. He also spent many years on the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity Board and was one of the visionaries who developed the concept of focusing Habitat's work in one area (Lynmore Estates), which has since been adopted by many other Habitat programs. He was a Senior Active Member of the Macon Rotary Club, as well as a founder of the second Palaver Club. A cradle Episcopalian, he was the 6th generation of his family to be a member of Christ Episcopal Church, and served on the vestry there, as well as at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Macon and Saint Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock, North Carolina. He was a member of the Atlanta Civil War Round Table, the Atlanta St. Andrew's Society, and was recently initiated into the Sons of the American Revolution. He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Neal O'Neal, his two, beloved daughters, Anna Kathleen O'Neal and Margaret Mason O'Neal, both of Macon; Stepdaughters Neal Wilder Wheaton and Marianne Wilder Zalenski and their husbands, Bobby and Eric, and five grandchildren; his dear sister, Margaret Lewis of Columbus, and numerous nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held at Christ Episcopal Church on Walnut Street in downtown Macon on Monday, March 7th at 2:30 p.m. with a reception following in the Great Hall of the Church. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Heart of Georgia or the Macon Area Habitat for Humanity. Register online at www.hartsmort.com. Hart's Mortuary and Crematory Downtown has charge of arrangements.