Dick Neal

James Richard “Dick” Neal passed away at his home on May 31, 2016 at the age of 100. Dick was born January 19, 1916 in Kaufman County and lived his entire life in the Kaufman County area, mostly Forney, except for the 4 years he served during World War II from March 1942 to November 1945. He married Bettye Jo Stringer on February 25, 1968 and was blessed with one son Patrick Stringer Neal. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force (then the Army Air Corps) to serve his country and was transferred to England and became a Tech Sergeant, where he worked on B24 Bombers. For most of his life, Dick was a successful and dedicated farmer and he truly loved to work with crops as well as the land they grew on. Dick was one of the most generous people you will ever meet but like most men of that “greatest generation”, he was never one to give so as to receive public recognition. His contributions were a way that he felt he could give back to the community that he loved so dearly. He was instrumental in providing financial support and he donated large sums of money to several churches in Forney and also to the Kaufman County Veterans Memorial. When his ailing wife Bettye passed away, Dick wanted to find something to fill his time so he worked at Hillcrest Cemetery in Forney for 2 years, digging under, jacking up and straightening headstones. He had no idea who these headstones belonged to however it didn’t matter as Dick just wanted, as he had done his entire life, to help others and it was just one more opportunity to back to the community. A truly humble man, Dick leaves a treasured legacy for his family, his friends and the citizens of Kaufman county. Dick will be welcomed into heaven by his wife Bettye who died July 5, 2002 and his son Patrick who died September 6, 1996, his parents Joe Wiley and Callie Perry Philpott Neal, his brothers Joe Perry Neal and Roy Layden Neal, and his sister Claudine Neal Griffin, all of whom preceded him in death. Dick is survived by 7 nieces and nephews: David Neal and wife Elizabeth of Kaufman, Sue Hooks and husband Ralph of Kaufman, James Griffin, III and wife Barbara of Mesquite, Nancy Pyle, Roger Neal and wife Debbie of Lenexa, Kansas, Perri Lynn Neal, and Cindy Baird as well as many great nieces, great nephews and a host of friends and a special caregiver and friend, Reta Banister. Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Friday June 3, 2016 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel with visitation beginning at 1 p.m. 642 N. Rockwall Ave. Terrell, Texas 75160. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Kaufman County Veterans Memorial, c/o Ray Raymond, 5080 FM 1836, Kaufman, Texas 75142.

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Dick Neal

January 19, 1916 - May 31, 2016