Stephen Lee Neal

Funeral Mass will be held at 12:10 PM on Wednesday, March 18, 2015 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Jack McKone, Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Visitation will be from 6:00 until 7:00 in the evening on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 with a Rosary from 7:00 until 8:00 in the chapel of Hampton Vaughan Funeral Home.

Stephen was born on September 3, 1916 in Deport, Texas to Oscar and Nola (Garmany) Neal. He married Eva Hampton on March 14, 1942 and through this union they were blessed with one daughter and one grandson. He married Pamela Beamon on March 1, 1998 through this union they were blessed with one step son, step daughter and one grandson. Stephen and Pamela enjoyed wonderful years together. He attended Midwestern University and graduated from Wiley College Marshall, Texas where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in education in 1941. He paid his way through college by making and selling tamales at his college. He also worked for Dr. Dogan as his private cook which also helped him support his way through college. He received an Electronic diploma at Gunther AFB in Alabama. Stephen enlisted in the Army with an honorable discharge in 1945. His decorations included Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, Overseas Service Bar, and Good Conduct Medal. He spoke fluent in two languages, Spanish and German. He was captured by the Germans under suspicion as a spy while serving in the war because he spoke and understood two German languages. He worked Civil Service as an education specialist for the United States Air Force at Sheppard Air Force Base for 35 years until his retirement in 1972. Stephen served as Wichita Falls Chapter founder and President of Wiley College Alumni Club. He hosted fundraisers for scholarships to send students to his alma mater Wiley College. To this day he continues to be a faithful supporter to the college where the motto is “A Place Where Every Student Can Succeed”. Mr. Neal was a great asset to the community, facilitating where ever he could to help his fellow man. When Blacks could not get loans to purchase homes, Mr. Neal would buy and refurnish homes on the Eastside to give the Blacks the opportunity to Rent- to- Own their own homes. Around town he is known as Mr. Neal. He owned and operated Neal’s BBQ worked in Real Estate and for Universal Life Insurance Company. Neal’s BBQ place was known for great hamburgers, chopped beef, chili dogs, hot links, fish and tamales. He also would fish and serve fish at his restaurant. He enjoyed playing dominoes, black jack, watching documentaries, fishing, and working in his garden. He was a good mathematician, doing algebra, geometry, and other math problems without pencil and paper and would do free income tax for the eastside community. He was active in fund raising drive for the East Branch YMCA. He was a member of Phi Beta Sigma fraternity and served as Secretary for the Northeast Lion’s Club. Mr. Neal was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. He served as a Eucharistic minister, A Sir Knight, Knights of Columbus, Assembly 1108 Fourth degree. Mr. Neal was well known throughout the community. He was always there to lend a hand to someone in need and will be greatly missed.

Mr. Neal is preceded in death by his parents, his first wife Eva, brother; Carl Garmany, sister; Samantha Neal and grandson, Terri Jackson.

He is survived by his wife Pamela, daughters; Dr. Steva Nkrumah and husband Atiba and Archeyna Lacy, son; Quanyette Lacy, grandsons; Christopher Nelson and Tyrice Jackson and 9 great-grandchildren.