Charles C. Neal

Charles Neal, 70, died the morning of November 2, 2016, after a five year battle with kidney cancer. Born December 14, 1945, in Comfort, Texas, Chuck was the son of the late Arnold and Hazel Neal of San Antonio, Texas. He lived an amazing life – cowboy, trucker, US Navy pilot, American Airlines captain, but most importantly to him, he was a kind and loving father, grandfather, and close friend to many. He graduated from the University of Texas in 1968 with a BS in engineering and member of the US Navy ROTC. He served five years in the US Navy and was based in Rota, Spain, in VQ-2 from 1970 to 1973. Following his honorable discharge from the Navy, he flew for American Airlines for 31 years before retiring. Anyone who met Chuck found a kind and listening ear, whether during church at First Baptist of Bedford, his routine daily visit to Market Street in Colleyville, or during treatments at Duke University in North Carolina, where he lived his final year with his son's family. He loved and was loved by so many, and no one who spoke with him was a stranger, quickly finding a kind soul and new friend.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Kimberly Harlow (1972-2008); his sister, Janet Massey; and his brother, Don Neal.

He is survived by his son, Brent Neal and his wife Laurel Neal and their children Ashley and Tristan of Apex, North Carolina; granddaughter, Madeline Harlow of Kaufman, Texas; ex-wife and best friend, Donna Neal of The Colony, Texas; brother, Bobby Neal of Houston, Texas; many dear nieces and nephews; his church family and many close friends and relatives.

A service to celebrate his life will be at First Baptist Church of Bedford on Tuesday, November 8th, at 1:00 pm. Chuck requested that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his memory to the First Baptist Church of Bedford, Texas. Entombment is to follow the service at Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Park in Colleyville, Texas.