Charles Edwin "Charlie" Neal, passed away unexpectedly surrounded by members of his family on Tuesday evening, February 12th at Springhill Memorial Hospital. Charlie Neal was born December 13, 1935 in Union City, Alabama. Charlie graduated from Vigor High School in Chickasaw, AL where he was a member of the Varsity Baseball and Basketball teams. He received an appointment to represent the State of Alabama in the inaugural class of the United States Air Force Academy. Instead he enrolled at Auburn University to pursue an education in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity and the Mechanical Engineering Honor Society.
During his junior year, a fraternity brother and his girlfriend set Charlie up on a blind date to meet Nancy Haas, a freshman from Mobile who was a member of Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority. Nancy Haas was a graduate of Murphy High School where she was Senior Class President and a member of Beta Sigma Chi sorority. They would soon marry and start their lives together.
While Charlie completed his education at Auburn, they welcomed twin boys, Charles David Neal and William Donald Neal, into their new family. After graduation, Charlie and Nancy moved to Blacksburg, Virginia so Charlie could pursue a Masters in Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. While studying in Blacksburg, they welcomed their only daughter, Kathleen Haas Neal.
Charlie's first job landed them in Pensacola, FL where they welcomed Douglas Edwin Neal. As soon as Nancy was given permission to travel, they moved to Mobile, where they remained for the rest of their lives.
Charlie was preceded in death by Nancy, his devoted wife of 49 years, who died almost 15 years to the date, February 13th 2004. Charlie was a dedicated husband, father, brother-in-law and friend. He spent the last of his 45 years as an active member of Dauphin Way United Methodist Church leading the Thursday's "Meals on Wheels" team for the past 10 years. He was an avid sportsman and enjoyed any activity that allowed him to invest time into his children.
Charlie is survived by his 4 children, David, Donny, Kathy, Doug and his 2 grand-children, Forrest and Carolyn. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 15th at 1pm at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church. In celebration of his life, Charlie's children will host family and friends immediately following the service. Private burial services will take place at a later date at Pine Crest Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that donations be made to Dauphin Way UMC's "Meals on Wheels" program. 1507 Dauphin Way, Mobile, AL 36607 (251) 473-1701
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