James Walter Neal
May 29, 1940 ~ February 5, 2014
Services:
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, February 11, 2014 at 10:00AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church, Leonardtown,MD with Father David Beaubien officiating. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens, Leonardtown, MD.
Visitation:
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 10, 2014 from 5:00PM to 8:00PM with prayers recited at 7:00PM, Rescue Squad prayers to follow at 7:15PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD.
James Walter Neal, 73, of Hollywood, Maryland peacefully departed this life on February 5, 2014, at home surrounded by his family.
He was born on May 29, 1940 to the late Frank P. Neal and Mary Estelle Neal in Leonardtown, Maryland. “Walt” is survived by his wife Ella whom he married 50 years ago in the District of Columbia. Their union produced two children, Joyce Neal of Chaptico and Jay Neal (Caroline) of Owings, Maryland and five grandchildren (Sydey, Rian, Mekhi, Grant, and Jada). He was preceded in death by his brother John Neal, and leaves two siblings Alice Showell and George Neal with a lifetime of memories to cherish.
Walt graduated from Banneker in 1959 and attended Morgan State College. He served his country for 3 years in the Army from 1961- 1964. While in the Army he was a member of the Ballistic Research Team that was charged with investigating John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
Walt was a lifelong resident of St. Mary’s county and dedicated himself to serving the community. In the mid 1960’s he became one of the first African Americans to become a member of the volunteer rescue squad. He continued to serve in that role until his illness. He was an employee of St. Mary’s Hospital for some 47 years where he was known not only for his meticulous work and attention to detail, but for his easy going smile and soft spoken manner. He held many appointments to various boards and commissions over the many years which included the St. Mary’s Hospital Board of Directors, the Building Committee for the Carter Building, the Extension Service Advisory Board, the St. Mary’s Hospital Renovation Committee, the St. Mary’s County Board of Social Services, the Fair Board, and the Agricultural Land Preservation Committee. He participated in numerous Christmas in April projects. Many neighbors benefitted from his generous spirit when he would push snow and clear driveways refusing to accept any type of payment. He took pride in his garden and shared the fruits of his labor with friends and family alike. He was constantly improving and perfecting his wine making skills.
When not working, he avidly pursued other hobbies. He grew up farming and love of the land never left him. A local historian in his own way and an avid photographer, Walt collected a series of his own photographs from the 1970’s to make a slide show collection documenting tobacco growing in Southern Maryland. Joining the Southern Maryland Antique Power Association gave him an outlet to express his enjoyment of old tractors with like other minded enthusiasts and allowed him the ability to greatly expand his tractor collection. He was the founder of the tractor parade in Leonardtown, MD.
His happiest times were spent with his five grandchildren. He relished any opportunity to spend time with them.
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 10, 2014 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with prayers recited at 7:00 PM followed by Rescue Squad prayers at 7:15 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM in St. Aloysius Catholic Church Leonardtown, MD with Father David Beaubien officiating, con celebrating Father Rory Conley. Interment will follow in Charles Memorial Gardens Leonardtown, MD. Pallbearers; Jay Neal, John Neal, Paul White, Treavor Rose, John Thompson, and Henry Johnson. Contributions may be made to Hospice of St. Mary’s P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650, and/or the Leonardtown Vol. Rescue Squad P.O. Box 299 Leonardtown, MD 20650.
View current weather.
Memories Timeline
Guestbook
Sign the Guestbook, Light a Candle
“Mrs. Neal & Family, we are so sorry to hear of Mr. Neal’s passing he was a wonderful man. I worked with him at SMH for many years. He will be missed. “
“Port Tobacco Players was blessed to have Walt grace our stage in To Kill A Mockingbird. He was such a kind man who will be missed. God Bless you Walt. “
“Dr. Neal, Mrs. Neal, Jay and Family…We are so sorry to hear of Mr. Neal’s passing. He was, is and will continue to be loved by all! He was a wonderful man and we are greatful to have had the pleasure of knowing him! Please know we are thinking of you all and keeping you in our prayers. With deepest sympathy – The Woodburns”
“Ella, Joyce and all the family – Our most heart felt thoughts and prayers are with you during this time of loss. “
“Mrs. Neal and family, Thinking of you and keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. With deepest sympathy. Patty”
“To the Neal Family- there are no words to express how Walt touched everyone’s life that he came in contact with. I know myself that after knowing him, I will see him walking down the track at every tractor pull this year. I will hear him guietly telling me to call so and so to be in the parade. I will miss having him by my side in the club. You are all so fortunate to have been his special ones and shared is life daily. God bless you all.”
“I am so thankful to have known such a good man, good friend and for all the good times at the tractor pulls and tractor parades. Mrs Neal Doc and Jada my prayers and love to you Mr Walt is with Dad now we will miss him dearly “
“Good people are taken away, but no one truly understands. Those who do right are being taken away from evil and are given peace. Those who live as God wants, find rest in death. If we rearrange the letters in the word EARTH it becomes HEART – so even if someone is no longer with us on EARTH; we know that person will always be in our HEART. Know that we are holding your hands from afar as you walk through this valley of adjustment. God Bless you.”
“Miss Ella and family, please accept our most sincere condolences. Being a Charter and Life Member, Walter epitomized the true meaning of volunteerism. His quiet strength was admired by the youngest and especially the senior membership. We have missed his presence since the beginning of his illness, especially at our last banquet, but pray he will be by our side as we carry on in his memory. Rest in Peace good and faithful servant. “
“Walter you were my Hero! You will be greatly missed. The world has lost a great man. My prayers are with your family.”
“My sympathy to Dr. Neal and the family. May Mr. Neal be at peace in heaven with his Lord. You will be in my thoughts and prayers. May God bless you all……”
“Words are difficult to come by…You showed such courage, determination, dignity, grace and strength. You pass on a wonderful legacy of a life full of service, tradition and love to your children and grandchildren. We are so truly blessed to have known you and we will miss your bright smile and seeing you up there on your tractor. You will remain in our hearts and never be forgotten.”
“Our condolences to the family of Walter Neal. We are thinking of your today and will keep your in our prayers.”
“Sending prayers and hugs to Mrs. Neal, Doc & Jada thinking of you all at this difficult time! Just know how many lives he touched and he will be missed!”
“Mrs.Neal, Joyce and Jay, My prayers are with you during this time. I always thought so much of Walter. Such a great guy with a wonderful smile and a joke of some kind. He loved his family and grandchildren. He will be missed by many.”
” Ella and all of Walter’s family our prayer’s are with all of you. Walter will be missed by everyone.”
“Ella & Family- Please accept our deepest condolences for the loss of such a sweet man. He will forever be in our hearts. I’ll certainly treasure all the memories and great stories he use to share. We know that he’ll keep us safe on calls and he’ll always be remembered. God Bless”
“Walter Neal was a quiet, gentle and kind man. I ran many a duty night with him when I first joined the rescue squad. Back in those days, the idea was to get them loaded and to the hospital fast and if anyone could get you there fast, it was Walter. Ella, Joyce & family, thanks for sharing him with all of us. Because of this man, many people still walk the earth. God Bless you all! “
“Ella and family, my deepest condolences. Walter was a dear friend and colleague and a true volunteer. He has left a great emptiness in our lives and especially my heart. Walt made me feel at home from the first day I joined LVRS 25 years ago. He was a dance partner at the banquets and always full of fun, he was missed at our last banquet and will be missed in years to come. I know Laverne was there at the gates to escort him through and they will be there for us also. I will miss you my friend, I will always love you and think of you often. RIP “
“A man who loved his community and worked hard. Always was smiling. He will be missed.”
“Ella & Family – Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of such a great man. I have missed him on Monday evenings and his sweet humor that he brought. He was a faithful member to our organization and loved his family more than anything. I know that he will be us on calls and keep us safe. My thoughts are with your family the days ahead.”
” With deepest sympathy”
“So sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. Worked with him on the Rescue Squad and at the hospital. He will be truly missed.”
“Mrs. Neal I will always have fond memories of you as my teacher. You and the family have my sympathy during this difficult time. God bless you and the family.”
“Aunt Sissy,Joyce and Jay sorry about your loss.Will keep you all in my payers”
“We want to extend our heartfelt sympathy to Mrs. Neal and all the family, especially to Dr. Neal. Your dad accomplished so many things during his lifetime and will be remembered for all his many good deeds especially as a GREAT VOLUNTEER in this wonderful county of SAINT MARY’S! May he now receive his reward and rest in peace with Our Lord and Blessed Mother too. Be assured of our love, thoughts and prayers. “
“Miss Ella, Joyce, and Jada and family, our deepest sympathy on the loss of a very special man. he will be greatly missed, god bless you and help you through this heartfelt time. He was a true friend and they are hard to find, will never forget you our dear friend. If you listen real close you can still hear his voice soft and sweet. Shut your eyes and see his smiling face, which is in our hearts forever and no-one can take that away. Our hearts ache in sadness, but we have the memories of your smiling face, that special laugh, but most of all words of wisdom to hold on to. God has you In his care, gave you beautiful wings to watch over the ones you love. You will never be forgotten, WE LOVE YOU WALT, REST IN PEACE OUR DEAR FRIEND.”
“Dr. Neal – I am so sorry to hear of your fathers passing. My thoughts and prayers go to you and your family. From the outpouring of admiration I can see that he was a great man and the Lord is very happy with his servant.”
“Dr. Neal, may your father rest in joy and peace on the other side. From reading all these kind words, there is no doubt he will. Take care, Kyla (Dr. Tilley’s office manager)”
“Neal my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this. Nancy Bonser Humble Texas”
“James was always a pleasure to work with. He always had a smile on his face and his quiet voice. God bless his family during this tough time. You all are in my prayers”
“I had pleasure of knowing Walt from the tractor pulls and his daughter delivered my twins in 2007 and Walt came upstairs to visit withe when I had my twins. He was a kind hearted man and always had a wonderful smile he loved everyone and it was a pleasure having him touch a part of my life. My deepest sympathy goes to family and to u Dr Joyce Neal thank u for all u did for me.”
“Walter from the first time I met you and everytime I was around you it was truly a great pleasure, the laughing and joking that was shared by you surely will be missed by us and all.The world will miss your smile and easy going way. My prayers are with your family. God Bless you “
“We first met Walter when he joined 3rd & 6th District Rescue Squad those many years ago. What a special, gentle man he was and always greeted us with that wonderful smile. He was a special person and he will be greatly missed by many. His family will be in our prayers.”
“Dr. Neal and Family, So sorry for the passing of your father. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.”
“We have not had the honor of meeting Mr. Neal, but have the pleasure of knowing his sister, Alice. Our preyers and thoughts are with all of you at this difficult time.”
“To the Neal family, “The heart remembers most what it loved best. “. My thoughts and prayers are with you. I used to wait on Mr. Neal when he came in to the dry cleaners. Rest in peace Mr. Neal.”
“My sincere condolences for your loss. Mr. Neal was a very knowledgeable and wonderful person. It was a pleasure working with him”
“Mrs. Neal and family:Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your heart.”
“Ms. Neal and family. Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss. I know your faith will comfort you during this time. If my family or the SVDP society can be of any assistance to you now or in the future, don’t hesitate to let us know. We love you and know that Mr. Neal has heard the words that we all await, “Well done my good and faithful servant!” May God continue to comfort you. “
“Ella or should I say “Mrs. Neal”, I am saddened to hear of your husband’s passing. I only heard stories of Walter, but I know he was a wonderful husband and father to your family. We are praying for the Lord to send His Holy Spirit to comfort and console you and your family at this time. Praising God for a life well lived. May God’s peace be with you.”
“Mrs.Neal and family, so sorry to hear of Walter’s passing. He was such a likeable and friendly man. He will be missed by many that knew him. God bless all of you and may Walter rest in peace.”
“Truly a one-of-a-kind man! A gift to all to all that met!!!”
“Our condolences to Walt’s family. He was the epitome of a gentleman. He will be missed by all.”
“To; The Neal Family, I would like to extend my sincere sympathy, Walter was such a wonderful person to work with, our community has lost a gentle and loving man! He was a joy to work with at SMH! May GOD give you strength and uphold you with his ever redeeming love!!”