Neal was born of meager means on November 21, 1930 in Cherokee, Iowa, just in time for the depression. Because his family lived as itinerant farmers in Iowa, Missouri and Oregon, he had to work his entire life and was always happiest when he was busy.
He found his way to Colorado Springs in the Air Force in 1951, married Carol Cool on November 6, 1954 and lived there the rest of his life. He joined the Colorado Springs police department in January 1956 as a patrolman, worked up through the ranks and retired as a Deputy Chief in 1986. He also served as acting chief for a year. After retirement from the CSPD, he worked selling real estate and then as a bank courier.
Neal has always felt that education was important. He spent several years attending college classes in the evenings and finally earned an Associates Degree. He also had the honor to take courses at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He was able to pay for his children’s college educations by working a second job driving for Trailways bus company.
His family was always his number one priority in his life. He loved his children, adored his grandchildren and was just getting to know his great grandchildren. He enjoyed fishing, golf, tennis, skiing and gardening. He was a member of both the Colorado Springs and the state Police Protective Associations, the Rotary and other civic minded clubs and the Colorado Springs Country Club.
Neal is survived by his wife of 63 years, Carol, children Brad, Donna and Dale, brother, Larry Stratton of Vancouver, Washington and sister Uvon Shephard of Sandy, Oregon, son-in-law Bill Holstein, daughters-in-law Mary Stratton, Wendi Grba and Cindi Allmendinger, his grandchildren Ryan Stratton, Melissa and Rob Ryerson, Erin and Johnny Cheng, Matt Stratton and Taylor Stratton and great grandchildren Levi and Hadley Cheng and baby Ryerson, who is due in October.
Those wishing to honor Neal may donate to the Colorado Springs Police Protective Association (website http://csppa.org) or to the Rotary Club (website http://www.rotaryclubofcoloradosprings.org)
