Thomas (Tom) E. Neel

Thomas E. (Tom) Neel age 79, of Lake Park Georgia passed away Sunday morning February 24, 2008 at South Georgia Medical Center from complication of Congestive Heart Failure. He was born on July 30, 1928 in Ft. Myers Florida to the late James B. and Ernestine T. Neel. In 1939 his family moved to St. Petersburg Florida, where they resided until 1942, when they relocated to Jacksonville Florida. 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 Owen-Illinois Glass Co (today-Packaging Corporation of America). 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 Georgia, 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 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, of Lake Park; son and daughter in law, Thomas J. & Kristie Neel; grandchildren, Thomas Neel and Kristen Neel, all of Wesley Chapel Florida. He is also survived by a sister, Mary Martin of Jacksonville Florida; nephew Tim (Sandi) Martin of Orange Park Florida and many great nephews. He is preceded in death by a nephew, Richard Martin.

Funeral services for Mr. Neel will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at McLane Lakewood Funeral Home in Lake Park. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until service time. Rev. Robert Dawson will officiate and worship music and song will be provided by Mr. Tim Luke. Burial will follow at Lake Park Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Thomas A. Neel, Paul Barrales, Bruce Fletcher, Ed Miller, Rodney McClellan and Jack Lemasters. Flowers will be accepted or donations may be made to Lake Park Baptist Church Building Fund. Condolences may be conveyed to the family on the obituary page of www.mclanefuneralservices.com McLane Lakewood Funeral Home


Funeral Home:
McLane Lakewood Funeral Home
3119 West Marion Avenue
Lake Park, GA
US 31636