James Dennis Neal

James Dennis Neal, 81, passed away on September 18, 2016 in Tampa, FL. He was born at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater, FL. He is survived by his loving wife of 29 years, Linda Mae Moody Neal. They traveled all over the world in those years.

He is also survived by his daughters, Sharon Denise Neal Lady (John) of Lakeland, FL and Carolyn Christine Neal Motsch (John III) of Clearwater, FL; grandchildren, Jamie Lee Bardell (Mike), Katelynn Marie Gleason, Dennis Michael Neal, Grace Madison Gleason and Jacqueline Christine Ginan; great-grandchildren, Ayden Riley Bardell, Karah Lee Bardell and Emma Rose Bardell; sisters, Hazel Neal Watterson (Bill) of Kings Mountain, NC, Rachel Neal Holcomb (Neil) of Shelby, NC; sister and brother in law, Judith Jane Moody Oehler (Carl Bailey); nephews, David William Oehler, Paul Edwin Oehler of Arlington, TX; five nieces and one more nephew. He is preceded in death by his parents, Jacob Dennis Neal and Pansy Lee McGee Neal; daughter, Cindy Lee Neal.

Dennis is a veteran of foreign war having served in the United State Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He is a graduate of St. Leo’s University, with a B.A. degree in criminal justice. He served three years with the Clearwater Florida Police Department and 24 years with Pinellas County Florida Sheriff’s Department. He attained the rank of Major retiring as Captain in charge of the Judicial Bureau.

He is a member of the Turner American Legion Post #7; past chaplain Heisler-Johnson Post #119, Tampa PC User’s Group, Pinellas County Fraternal Order of the Police Lodge #43, Largo, FL, Honorary member of the Florida Sheriff’s Association and member of the Florida Genealogical Society. Dennis is also an associate member of Admiral Gaspard de Coligny Chapter, Florida Division, National Huguenot Society, and a member of Hillsborough United Methodist Church serving as former Trustee Chairperson of the Board for many years.

Memorial contributions will be accepted for the American Heart Association at www.donatenow.heart.org.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, September 26 in Gonzalez Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27 in Gonzalez Funeral Home with Ginger Summers as Officiant, followed by interment in Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave. Bushnell, FL 33513.