Eldon was welcomed aboard the Spangler in 1944 as an ensign and the ships youngest officer. He was the only officer onboard at the time with an engineering degree, so naturally took on responsibilities as the Assistant Engineering Officer and later as the Engineering Officer. He rose to rank of LTJG prior to mustering from the Navy in 1946. Eldon passed away Feb. 13, 2006 at age 81. His obiturary, published in the Rocky Mountain News, and written by Ms. Janet Simons, notes, "When the war ended, he returned to Boulder and married Ruth Law, on Oct. 20, 1945." Guy Thompson, a fella officer and friend, said "I met her in 1945 or 46 when Eldon came back from the leave on which he had been married. She accompanied him to Long Beach/San Pedro where we were undergoing modification." Ms. Simons also reported in her obituary column, "The couple celebrated their 60th anniversary only two weeks before Mr. O'Neal was stricken with the aneurysm that eventually ended his life." Eldon achieved a successful career as an Industrial Enginer and is recognized as a "pioneer in occupational safety." You can read the full obiturary on the Rocky Mountain News internet website by clicking here. Appreciation is extened to the Rocky Mountain News for extending the expiration date on the obiturary story until year 2026 for our benefit. -- Knowledge of Mr. O'Neal's passing was brought to our attention by his shipmate and fellow officer, Guy Thompson (Lt, Retired).
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