“The tongue has the power of life and death.” – Proverbs 18:21
Amos O’Neal’s life is a testament to the weight of those words—how what we say, and how we live, can shape not only our own path but the lives of others. Raised on the east side of Saginaw alongside four brothers and two sisters, O’Neal grew up in a home where kindness and generosity were not just taught but practiced daily. Though resources were limited, love and compassion were abundant.
“We were poor, but we didn’t know we were poor,” O’Neal recalls. “We ate every day, had good shelter, and we were happy. We always wanted to make our mom proud.” In the 1970s, when relatives came north seeking work, they often found refuge in the O’Neal household. Space was tight, but the door was always open.
In contrast, his father’s inconsistency left a different impression. Witnessing that absence shaped a personal vow in O’Neal: when the time came, he would be present, responsible and committed. That promise was tested early when he became a father before finishing high school. Determined to do right by his daughter, Tawana, he stepped into adulthood with purpose. He married her mother, Sherry, and together they built a family, welcoming two more daughters, Amy and Jessica. Their 31-year marriage, grounded in faith and service, ended with Sherry’s passing in 2016.
O’Neal’s commitment to responsibility extended beyond his family. He took a job as a custodian with Saginaw Public Schools while completing his diploma and enrolling at Delta College. That decision proved transformative. An internship working with runaway and homeless youth galvanized his commitment to service.
He continued his education, earning a business administration degree from Northwood University, and soon stepped into leadership roles that allowed him to serve his community more broadly. From directing operations at First Ward Community Center to building connections at United Way, O’Neal developed a reputation for integrity and compassion. Encouraged by colleagues, he entered public service, serving on the Saginaw City Council for over a decade. In 2016, O’Neal was elected to the Saginaw Board of Commissioners, serving four years before his election to the Michigan House of Representatives. O’Neal knows first-hand the capacity of Delta College to change lives. His steadfast support was integral to securing state funding for Delta’s recent K Wing renovation.
Throughout his career, he has received numerous honors, but the most meaningful recognition reflects the unseen work—the quiet moments of care, consistency and what you give that often go unnoticed. To O’Neal, these moments are where true impact lives.
Despite his many accomplishments, he considers his greatest success to be fulfilling the promise he made as a young man: to be a good father. “Family is very important to me,” he says. “I try to be a good example, because there’s always somebody watching.” That belief, shared by his late wife in her work as an educator, continues to influence not only their children but also their grandchildren.
O’Neal often returns to Proverbs 18:21 as a guiding principle. Words have the power to uplift or to wound, to inspire or to discourage. But beyond speech, our actions echo those same truths. Whether it’s a mother welcoming others into a crowded home, a young father choosing responsibility, or a leader building bridges through respect, every choice carries weight.
