'Incredibly good man': Kingsport leaders remember Michael O'Neill

KINGSPORT — Michael "Mike" O'Neill, a longtime Eastman Chemical Co. employee and city leader, died Monday at 84. Several local officials who knew O'Neill called him more than just a colleague — saying he was a friend. That was at least part of the sentiment shared by Kingsport City Manager Chris McCartt as he reflected on O'Neill's legacy. "When Mike served on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, I was still early in my career with the city," McCartt said. "Even then, I immediately recognized his strong leadership skills and his commitment to seeking resolution through positive and meaningful dialogue — qualities that left a lasting impression on me." McCartt explained how he got to know O'Neill outside of work as they were neighbors, which is something he cherished. "I remember many times when Mike would stop by on his way in or out of the neighborhood to comment on a game of kickball or volleyball I was playing with my kids in the front yard," McCartt said. "He often reminded me how important and memorable those precious years are with your children — words of wisdom from a man I came to know not only as a community leader, but also as a neighbor and friend." Kingsport Chamber CEO and President Miles Burdine called O'Neill a hero, mentor, caring supporter and a kind man. "He was always positive and optimistic, especially when faced with adversity, which he considered to be life's greatest teacher," Burdine said. "He would always stand for the right cause even if it meant standing alone." He called O'Neill a "perfect example" of the Kingsport Spirit, meaning he put others before himself. "At our last visit two months ago, I hugged him and said, 'I love you, Mike.' He smiled that gentle smile for which he is known and replied 'I love you, too,'" Burdine said. "We miss you, Mike. Heaven just welcomed an incredibly good man." Jeff Fleming, who spent 35 years working for the City of Kingsport, called O'Neill someone he "always wanted to emulate." "He carried himself with quiet decorum — steadfast in his faith, loyal to his family and true to his word," Fleming said. "He led by serving, earning respect through consistency, humility, and hard work." About O'Neill According to O'Neill's obituary, he graduated from Dobyns-Bennett High School in 1958. He was student body president, a member of Boys State and voted Most Outstanding in his class during his senior year. O'Neill was inducted into the D-B School Alumni Hall of Fame in 2018. He was known as captain of the football team at the time and set the 880-yard dash state record in track, the obituary states. He attended Georgia Tech, where he played on the football team under coach Bobby Dodd. O'Neill went on to serve in the Army infantry after graduating with a bachelor's degree in industrial management. He maintained several leadership positions at Eastman Chemical before retiring as vice president of communication and public affairs in 1998. O'Neill worked in various leadership roles over the years, including for the YMCA, Tennessee Nature Conservancy, Contact Concern and the Kingsport Economic Development Board. He spent time as a Kingsport alderman, 2002-2005, chairman of the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce and board member for Citizens Bank in years past. He graduated from the Leadership Kingsport program in 1984 and served as Jeanette Blazier's campaign treasurer in 2001 as she ran for Kingsport mayor. He accepted awards and recognitions from the Boys & Girls Club, the Man and Boy award; Kingsport Rotary Club, the Paul Harris Fellow; National Association of Community Leadership, the Distinguished Community Leadership award; and the Kingsport Chamber's Lifetime Achievement award. O'Neill's legacy lives on through his wife of more than six decades, Betty Harman O'Neill, along with their children and grandchildren.