Baseball Diamonds Named for Eddy, O'Neal

Two Apalachicola families who have faced the anguish of losing a young child each got a diamond-shaped gift Saturday morning.

Bob and Toni Eddy, and Leon and Felicia O'Neal, Jr., were on hand for the dedication of two baseball diamonds at D.W. Wilson Park in memory of their children.

At age 15 months, Jacobie O'Neal received a heart transplant at Shands Medical Center in Gainesville, and then for nearly six years grew into a joy-filled youngster, a friendly, outgoing lad with a love of baseball and soccer. His death at age 6 drew an enormous outpouring of love from the community, including a game ball signed by the entire University of Florida Gator football team and presented at his funeral.

Tyler Eddy died suddenly last July, leaving behind memories of an avid sportsman, who loved to hunt, fish and ride his four-wheeler. Known as an excellent sportsman, a team player and a gifted athlete, he stood out for his upbeat attitude and athletic talents, with a long list of accomplishments on the playing field.

"The news of Jacobie's passing on Sept. 2, 2006 and Tyler on July 8, 2007, caused a profound sadness to ripple through the community like a rock falling into a still lake," said County Parks and Recreation Director Van Johnson, in his opening remarks at the ceremony. "Those nearest the point of impact, their families and friends, felt the effects the most, but the sadness continued touching people throughout the community and far beyond the borders of Franklin County.

"Because of this, we as a community are here today to symbolize the love we have and will always have for these two young All-Stars," he said. "They both shared a great love for the sport of baseball and their passing has left a void in the lives of their friends, teammates, and community. Although neither will again grace this complex with their physical presence, they will always be here in our hearts and in our memories, because of what we do here today. "

Pastor David Walker, from Covenant Word Christian Center, offered the opening prayer, and then later in his benediction addressed the issue of grief after he brought the families forward to pray together.

"What do you do in life when life throws you a curveball?" he said. "You hold to some outstanding attributes and remember your child. I can see Tyler and Jacobie in heaven cheering the All-Stars on again.

"It's okay to grieve your child," he said. "It can be 20 years from now. That's still your baby boy, that's your son."

Amanda Wilson and her son, Wesley, offered opening remarks, five years after the death of Donnie Wilson, for whom the entire complex is named. "Today we stand before you having known two terrific boys," she said. "It is a bittersweet moment. Their lives and loss had a huge impact on the entire county."

Commissioners Smokey Parrish and Noah Lockley also both spoke, reminding the crowd gathered under the pavilion of how much these youngsters loved baseball. "Be thankful for the days you had and let the memory go on," said Lockley. "I know they were good days."

Stacy Kirvin, who coached Eddy in baseball, added a light touch when he recalled how Eddy had "booby trapped" his own bedroom out of a love for contraptions.

Skip Shiver, who coached O'Neal with soccer, recalled his enthusiasm whenever he took the field. "He was a true angel sent," he said.

In memory of Eddy, the entire roster of the Carrabelle Christian Center Warriors are wearing the name Eddy and the number 8 on the orange uniforms and hats.

The O'Neal family and friends each wore t-shirts that included a photo of O'Neal, and the list of his coaches, who included Steve Rash, Lloyd Alford, Burt Davis, Allison Elliott and Shiver. Members of the O'Neal family on hand also included maternal grandparents Cherry and Phillip Rankin, paternal grandparents Leon Sr. and Sherry, and great-grandparents Wayne and Grace O'Neal.

The plaque presented to Toni and Bob Eddy and older brother Alan, saluted Tyler's "winning attitude, effort and determination," while the one presented to the O'Neals praised Jacobie's "determination, desire, discipline and dedication."

Bob Eddy threw out the first pitch to the older boys team, while Felicia O'Neal threw out the first pitch to the T-ball teams.