On July 25, 1947 in Fort Worth, Texas, God blessed Mr. Hallie Jack and Ms. Pearl Ella Cleveland Neal with a bouncing baby boy, of which they named Chester Ray Neal. Chester grew up as one of the neighborhood babies of the Greenway Community, affectionately known as "Sticktown". He was educated by the Fort Worth Independent School District, where he graduated from I.M. Terrell High School in 1965.
In 1968, just three years after graduation, Chester enlisted in the United States Army, where he served a year in Vietnam. Shortly after that year, Chester met and married the love of his life, Miss Maxine Allen. God blessed this union with the birth of four children: Giovanna Neal Reed, Marquis Neal, Kysha Neal and Chester M. Neal. To take care of the family, Chester was employed at the Fort Worth Water Department and served for over 20 years, while being a part of the water department's baseball team. He later went on to work for the Texas Department of Transportation, where he retired in 2007.
Chester was not only a "die hard" Dallas Cowboy fan, a husband, a father, a hard worker, a baseball player, and a military man; he was most importantly a Man of God. He was a faithful member of True Gospel Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as the Chairman of the Deacon board and a member of the Finance Committee and the Male Chorus.
On October 20, 2020, God stepped onto the 6200 block of Greenlee Street and called Mr. Chester Ray Neal from labor to reward. Upon Chester's arrival, he was greeted by both parents, Hallie Jack and Pearl Ella Cleveland Neal; his older brother, Willie Jack Neal; sister, Linda Farr; nephew, Billy Ray Farr, Jr.; and 3 brother-in laws.
He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 51 years, Mrs. Maxine Neal; their 4 children, Giovanna Neal Reed (Tim), Marquis Neal (Ashley), Kysha Neal and Chester M. Neal; 2 sisters, Sherrie Masters of Arlington, Texas and Jacquelyn Neal of Fort Worth, Texas; 5 grandchildren; Kerrion, Rashod, Shawn, Makennsi, and Madyson; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and very dear friends.
Services for Mr. Neal are:
Visitation - Wednesday, October 28, 2020 - From 1 p.m.- 6 p.m.
Celebration Service - Thursday, October 29, 2020 @ 12 noon
Burial @ The Dallas / Fort Worth National Cemetery - Friday, October 30, 2020 @ 9:15 a.m.
