Donald Gene Neal of Fairview, Texas passed away on October 31, 2021 at the age of 88. He was born on February 2, 1933 to Everett Melvin and Daisy Velma (Squyres) Neal in Wellington, Texas. His mother passed away when he was just 5 years old and he was raised by his Uncle William and Aunt Jewel Squyres until he was 15 years old.
He attended Reed School in Reed, Oklahoma where he met Johnny Joyce Barton, his life- long Sweetheart when he was 13 years old and she was 11. He then spent some time in California and in Dallas with his brother, Norman, working various jobs before deciding to enlist in the United States Air Force.
Don and Johnny were married on March 20, 1954 in Reed, Oklahoma shortly after he joined the military. They were married for over 67 years at the time of his passing. During his 22 years of service Johnny followed him all over the country making a home for Don and their three daughters anywhere there were stationed. He spent all 22 years of service working as a dental technician and advanced to the rank of Master Sargent. He received an Honorable Discharge in June 1971.
Don was a quiet man with a deep faith in God. He was devoted to his family and made sure they attended church together.
He enjoyed the old classic country & western music, gospel music, a good sermon, old westerns (especially John Wayne), fishing, quail hunting, woodworking, billiards with his buddies, coin collecting, tinkering in his shop, Johnny’s southern home-cooked meals, spending time with family, and driving around in the open country. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed ‘Hee-Haw’ humor, slap-stick comedy, and going to music and comedy shows in Branson, Missouri with his family.
He is survived by his wife, Johnny Joyce Neal of Fairview, Texas; daughters, Patsy Ann Neal of El Cajon, California, Brenda Jan Neal-Johnson and husband, Jim of Fairview, Texas, and Pamela Sue Scott and husband, Ken of Northport, Washington; grandchildren, Jimmy Cash, Andrew Lloyd, Shaun Lynch, and Aaron Lynch; brother, Norman Neal of Garland, Texas; sister, Melva Joyce Hughes of Washington; sister-in-law, Judy Squyres and numerous great grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ray Squyres; grandson, Matthew Johnson; and sister-in-law, Naomi Neal.
A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, November 13, 2021 at Turrentine-Jackson-Morrow Funeral Home in Allen, Texas. The family is recommending that guests wear masks. The service will be live streamed at https://celebrationoflife.tv/blog/donald-gene-neal. Interment will be private at Ridgeview Memorial Park in Allen, Texas. Family and friends are invited to the funeral home on Friday, November 12th from 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. to pay their respects and to sign the register book.