Thomas E. "Tom" Neel

Thomas E. (Tom) Neel age 79, of Lake Park passed away Sunday morning, February 24, 2008 at South Georgia Medical Center from complications of Congestive Heart Failure. He was born on July 30, 1928 in Ft. Myers FL to James B. and Ernestine T. Neel (both deceased). In 1939, his family moved to St. Petersburg, FL, where they resided until 1942, when they relocated to Jacksonville, FL. Tom graduated from Robert E. Lee High School (Jacksonville, FL) in 1947, working a short while before beginning his service to his country in the U. S. Navy. He was assigned to a Navy Attack Squadron aboard the USS Lake Champlain during the Korean War, which made many air strikes deep inside enemy territory. He was discharged from the Navy in 1954 going to work for National Container Corp., which ultimately became Owens-Illinois Glass Co. and later known as PCA. In 1955, he met and married his sweetheart Frances, and they had one child, Thomas J. Neel. He continued working for Owens-Illinois in several capacities within the Purchasing Division. In 1975, he was promoted to Purchasing Agent accepting a position in the Clyattville Mill in Valdosta, holding this position until his retirement in 1987.

Tom was an avid outdoorsman, loving to fish and hunt. He thoroughly enjoyed playing golf and joking with his Wednesday golfing buddies at Francis Lake Golf Club. Tom was a Christian man who loved the Lord and was an active member of the Lake Park Baptist Church where he was an assistant Sunday school teacher and usher for many years.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Frances Neel, son, Thomas J. Neel and daughter-in-law, Kristie, and grandchildren Thomas and Kristen all of Wesley Chapel, FL. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Martin of Jacksonville, FL; nephew and his wife, Tim and Sandi Martin of Orange Park, FL. He also leaves many grand nephews. He is preceded in death by a nephew, Richard Martin.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2008 at 11 a.m. in the chapel of the McLane Lakewood Funeral Home in Lake Park with the Rev. Robert Dawson. Burial will follow in the Lake Park Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a.m. on Wednesday before the service. Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.mclanefuneralservices.com. McLane Lakewood Funeral Home.