He was born in Salem, Oregon, on June 25, 1963, to the late Marilyn and Fred Neal. He graduated from Monroe High School and attended Coastal Carolina University in Myrtle Beach, SC. He attended Hickory Grove Baptist Church for many years. His gregarious personality made him perfectly suited for a 30-year-long career in architectural and construction sales.
Fred was known for his infectious and self-deprecating sense of humor, referring to himself as “Big Head Fred,” a nickname that he knew made his family laugh. He felt most at home when he was in nature, and loved fishing, camping, and whitewater rafting.
But more than anything, Fred loved his children. He was a softball dad for 20 years, took fishing and hiking trips with his kids, and took them to visit college campuses when they got older.
Fred lived in recovery from alcoholism for many years, his sobriety a point of pride for his family.
He is survived by his wife, Sherrie, of Matthews; his daughters Mallory, Sophie and Anna of Matthews; his brother, Gerry Neal and wife, Cindy, of Albemarle; his sister, Tracey Gardner, of Mt. Holly; his mother-in-law, Lois Garnett, of Gastonia; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Trish and John Anderson, of Belmont; his nieces and nephews Taylor, Garrett, Gregory, Marshal, Page, Hannah, Maddie, and Cameron; special cousins, Kim and Kevin Brafford of Greensboro; and numerous supportive friends.
A celebration of life will take place Sunday, June 24, at 3 p.m. at McEwen Funeral Home, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road, Charlotte, with visitation starting at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the American Heart Association, 128 S. Tryon Street, Suite 1588, Charlotte, NC, 28202.
