He was a 1961 graduate of Southside High School where he was an All-Memphis guard on the football team. He attended Memphis State University, lettering 4 years in baseball. After graduating, he began his coaching career at Kingsbury High School. His lifelong dream was to coach. He also taught and coached at Messick and Ridgeway High Schools. Throughout his life, he continued to play, coach and umpire numerous sports in and around the Memphis area.
He opened the Peabody Health Club in the early 1980s which is where he met the rock band ZZ Top while they were recording an album. He was most proud of being chosen by them to be their personal trainer and bodyguard on their Afterburner World Tour in 1986.
He later went on to teach Health and Wellness at Southwest TN Community College for over 10 years. Over several decades, he was a personal trainer and he also served as head softball coach at Rhodes College and a volunteer coach at Christ Methodist, Cordova, White Station, ECS, Southaven Illusions Fastpitch Travel Team, USA Baseball, and numerous others.
As a coach, he touched many lives and made a huge impact on dozens of his students and players. His dedication to fitness, coaching and teaching will not be forgotten.
He will be greatly missed by his Southside Scrapper classmates, former students and players, his family and close friends. Neal leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Linda, their daughter Lindsay and their grandchildren Hayley and Liam. He also leaves behind daughters' Jill and his granddaughters' Madison and Paige, Gina and his grandson Ellis, and Kim and his grandson Collin. He also leaves behind his sisters Conni and Carol.
If there is one thing Neal would want to everyone to remember it is to never quit, always get up and remember each day is a new day.
The family will be holding a memorial gathering at Family Funeral Care, Wednesday, December 20th 2023, Two o’clock to four o’clock in the afternoon, 4925 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122
The family requests in lieu of flowers please donate to your local animal shelter, or the charity of your choice.
