Richard O`Neal Adams

Richard O’Neal Adams, 93, formerly of Cha ff ee, Missouri passed away peacefully, at Ratli ff Care Center, Cape Girardeau, MO on December 18, 2020. He was known by his family as O’Neal and by those on the railroad simply as "R.O." or "Sky King".

He was born on June 27, 1927, at 401 Wright Avenue, Cha ff ee, MO, to Elmer Monroe Adams and Bessie Adelia (Campbell) Adams.

O’Neal and Martha Jane Beggs were married August 27, 1948 in Cha ff ee, MO where they resided most of their lives. They celebrated their 66 th wedding anniversary Aug 27, 2014. He attended elementary school in Portageville, MO.

He graduated from Cha ff ee High School in 1944. Adams was an honorably discharged veteran of the US Navy, serving during WWII in China. While there he was attached to the Marines and exchanged his Navy blues for Marine olive drab. O’Neal worked a few years at the Sport Specialty Shoe Factory as an assistant foreman.

He was employed by Texas Eastern Gas Company located in Oran, MO and he was also employed by Laclede Gas Company in St. Louis, MO. O’Neal hired out on the Frisco Railroad in August 1955 and also hired out on the Cotton Belt May 1959. He worked both railroads for a while until he was forced to chose between the two. He initially was a brakeman and later became a conductor. He quit working on the Frisco in 1962 and retired from the Cotton Belt in June 1989. O’Neal was a voluntary fireman in Cha ff ee for approximately thirty years. He was also a private pilot and loved flying. He enjoyed attending the annual EAA Airventure in Oshkosh, WI with friends and family. He was a member of the Experimental Aircraft Association and the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. O’Neal was an avid Cardinal baseball fan and attended games at all three of the Cardinal park locations. He traveled extensively with Martha Jane and other family members.

O’Neal was an ordained deacon, and an active member at First Baptist Church in Cha ff ee, MO. He enjoyed singing in the choir. Both he and Martha attended there for many years. In recent years they also attended First Christian Church in Cha ff ee and First Baptist Church in Cape Girardeau. O’Neal was a member of the S.M.A.R.T. Transportation Division Local 330, the United Transportation Union Local 512, the Cha ff ee Masonic Lodge #615 AF and AM, Cha ff ee American Legion Post 389 and the Cha ff ee VFW Post 3127.

Loving survivors include his daughter, Carol O’Neil (Adams) Robinson and his son-in-law, Ronald Lewis Robinson, M.D. of Cape Girardeau, MO. Richard O’Neal Adams Obituary Also, surviving are his granddaughter, Carol Rene’ Robinson and her husband, David Christopher Sallee, M.D. of Collierville, TN. There are two great granddaughters, Maria Robinson Sallee and Elena Robinson Sallee. He was survived by several cousins.

Richard O’Neal was preceded in death by his wife, father and mother; and a brother, Elmer O’Dell Adams, who died in 1926, a year before O’Neal was born.

Due to Covid-19, a private family service will be held, with Rev. Mike Shupert o ffi ciating. Pallbearers will be Dan Robinson, John Robinson, Ron Robinson and David Sallee. Honorary pallbearers will be Harold Buckner, Richard Collins, Larry Dunger, and Boyd Summers. Burial will be in Union Park Cemetery in Cha ff ee, MO. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Baptist Childrens Home, 11300 Saint Charles Rock Rd, Bridgeton, MO 63044