George T. McNeill

George Thomas McNeill, 87, of Punta Gorda, Florida, died Friday, December 28, 2012. He was born on January 17, 1925 in St. Louis, Mo., and served aboard the USS South Dakota during World War II. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1946 at the rank of Gunner's Mate, Second Class. He worked for the Boeing Corporation in St. Louis after the war until his retirement in 1988, and relocated to Punta Gorda, Florida. He worked for many years as a member of the Alligator Creek Waterway MSBU Advisory Committee and retired in November 2002. He served as an honorary member of the Florida Sherriff's Association for 23 years and was a member of the American Legion. A Deacon and active member of the First Baptist Church of Charlotte Harbor, he sang in the church choir and worked with the youth group. He was an avid fisherman, with a great love for Florida's' natural beauty. A true patriot, George McNeill lived his life as a witness to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

He is survived by his wife, Florence Owens McNeill of Punta Gorda, Florida; his step-daughter and son in law, Debra and George Romer of Arcadia, Florida; step son and daughter in law, Donald and Jackie Owens of St. Peters, Missouri; step son and daughter in law, Gary and Laurie Owens of St. Charles, Missouri; step son and daughter in law, Richard and Deborah Owens of Bourbon, Missouri; eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Marge Glazer of Hot Springs, AR and Cora Beggs of St. Louis, MO.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 am till 10:00 am, Friday January 4, 2013 at the First Baptist Church of Charlotte Harbor, 4506 Church Street, Charlotte Harbor, Florida 33980-3229. The Funeral Service will follow at 10:00 am on Friday at the church with Pastor Thomas Simmons officiating. Burial with military honors will be held at 11:00 am, Monday January 7, 2013 at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, FL.

In lieu of flowers, Mr. McNeill requested that donations be made in his memory to the new education building of the First Baptist Church of Charlotte Harbor.