Jean DeCille Neal, Jr.

Jean DeCille Neal, Jr., died on December 6, 2008, at 10:00 a.m. in Georgetown, TX. He was born on March 18, 1935, in Hillsboro, TX, to Juanita Travis Lipscomb Neal and Jean DeCille Neal, Sr. He attended high school in Huntsville, TX, where he lettered in four sports and served as the president of his senior class before graduating in 1953. He then earned a degree from Sam Houston State University and did graduate work at Texas Tech University. In 1959 in Slaton, TX, Jean married Barbara Ann Newcomer, a native of Lafayette, LA. His beloved wife survives him, along with their three children: Patricia Louise Holloway and husband Gary, John Travis Neal and wife Kimberly, and Joseph Franklin Neal and wife Denise. Jean is also survived by ten grandchildren, Shawn Parham, Jr., Brandon Parham, Trevor Parham, Heather Holloway, Amanda Mayes, Angela Mayes, Caitlin Neal, Jacob Neal, Jessica Neal, and Jackson Neal, and two great-grandchildren, Kendall Grace Casinger and Joseph Travis Neal. Jean is also survived by numerous cousins. Jean enjoyed a thirty-five year career with the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-LaRoche, Inc. Successful first as a sales representative, Jean then served as a lobbyist in Texas and thirteen other states in Mid-America. Dealing with state legislators, Jean found his true calling. With his direct gaze, ready wit, considerable intelligence, and amazing repertoire of just the right joke for every occasion, Jean was able to make friends and influence legislation. With characteristic self-deprecating good humor, he often said that he told his mother during this period that he was a piano player in a bawdy house because she would find that occupation less objectionable than politics. In fact, Jean relished his years in politics and accomplished much good before his retirement in 1994. Jean was proud of his role in the passage of a law that mandated vaccinations of healthcare workers for hepatitis-B. Jean approached life with gusto and so found time for pastimes as well as work. He enjoyed hunting in Wyoming with son John, golfing with son Joe, and playing bridge with anyone who dared take him on—he was famous for bidding game on every hand. He also had a long-standing interest in real estate ventures and was wheeling and dealing in Williamson County until a week before his death. Jean Neal will be greatly missed by all who knew him but especially by his family, who find comfort in knowing that the Lord will find a use for him in heaven. The family will be receiving friends at the Gabriels Funeral Chapel on Tuesday, December 9, 2008 from 6:00-8:00 pm. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 10, at The Gabriels Funeral Chapel. Interment will occur in Huntsville, TX, on December 26. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make contributions to your favorite charity.