Ronnie Lee Neal

Born in Altus, Oklahoma, on March 2, 1950, to Calvin and Juanita (Bible) Neal, Ronnie was a spirited soul from the start. He grew up in Smyer, Texas, where he graduated from Smyer High School in 1969. Shortly thereafter, he began his lifelong career in farming, working alongside his father and brothers. Through the years, Ronnie sold seed for Dekalb, Pioneer and Golden Harvest, contributing greatly to the agricultural community.

On June 20, 1969, Ronnie married his high school sweetheart Lou Ann Fowler, embarking on a 57-year journey of love and companionship. Together they raised two beautiful daughters, Amanda and Ashley, instilling in them the values of kindness and resilience. Ronnie and Lou Ann’s marriage was a testament to enduring love, and their life was filled with laughter and shared adventures.

Ronnie found joy in riding motorcycles with his friends and family to places like Ruidoso, Sturgis, Amarillo, Fayetteville, and Branson. He loved RVing and camping with his family, cherishing trips to Lake LBJ and Possum Kingdom, and later sharing experiences with his grandchildren, traveling to Fun Valley, Colorado, and Jellystone parks.

Ronnie participated in the historic 1977 Tractorcade to Washington D.C. which marked the beginning of a nationwide farmer-led protest movement organized by the newly formed American Agriculture Movement to fight collapsing crop prices and soaring operational costs. Ronnie also had a talent for collecting and restoring antique tractors.

Active in his community, Ronnie was a devout member of the Smyer First Baptist Church, where he served faithfully since he was six years old. His dedication extended to serving on the Smyer School Board, Smyer Stock Show Association, and the Citizens Shallowater Co-Op Gin Board.

Known for his kindness and loyalty, Ronnie vowed in 1997, after surviving a major heart attack to always be kind and never make another enemy—a promise he kept faithfully.

Ronnie is preceded in death by his parents, Calvin and Juanita Neal, his brother Lynn Neal, and his sister Cecilia Knight.

He is survived by his cherished wife, Lou Ann Neal; his daughters and sons-in-law Amanda and Monte Ayers (Shallowater), and Ashley and Jared Smith (Smyer); his seven grandchildren, Hannah and husband Hunter Bledsoe (Lubbock), Levi, Nealee, and Evan Ayers (Shallowater), and Hazel, Olen, and Benson Smith (Smyer).

He is also survived by his brother Ricky and wife Judy Neal (Smyer), his brother-in-law Dell Knight (Plains), and sister-in-law Rita Neal (Smyer) as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He considered Jason and Calvin his sons and Ericka a third daughter. When they married he quickly welcomed Tammy, Kylee and Bryan into his heart as well. He never failed to treat Tristan, Grant, and little Ronnie Ann Neal like grandchildren. The boys all cherished time in the fields with him as he passed on his passion for farming to a younger generation.

Visitation will be at Lake Ridge Chapel and Memorial Designers, 6025 82nd St. in Lubbock on Monday, August 31, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

A memorial service will be held September 1, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Smyer First Baptist Church, 902 3rd Street in Smyer. Donations may be made in Ronnie’s honor to Smyer First Baptist Church.

Ronnie will be remembered for his generous spirit, his unwavering loyalty, and the warmth with which he embraced everyone he met. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those who loved him and the community he served so faithfully.