Obituary for John Gregory Neal Sr.
On October 23, 1953, John Gregory Neal Sr. was born to the union of Joan Brown and Charles Neal. John and his younger brother, Robert “Ricky” Neal, were raised by their mother and stepfather, Otha Hunter Sr, with whom he had a loving and cherished relationship. On July 9, 2020, at the age of 66 John was called home to be with the Lord surrounded by family after a long battle with illness.
John attended Scott High School and worked at Textile Leather Company for several years. John being a “jack of all trades” entered the construction field where he met his devoted wife, partner and friend of 34 years, Terri Hughes. John went on to attend apprentice school and become a brick mason. John was never one to take orders for too long, and this amongst other factors lead him to pursue one of his life dreams and open “The House of Value”, music and resale store. This became one of his proudest accomplishments. John used his love for music to build his business clientele, but these were not just his customers, many of them became longtime friends and acquaintances as John made a mark on almost every person he met. He spent many years operating his business, even DJ'ing during his spare time. John was forced to retire due to health issues after over 10 years of business.
John, also known as “Redd,” by many did not let his health condition keep him from spending time with his friends and family. John continued his many hobbies of cooking, playing cards, dominos, shooting pool, going to the casino and his ABSOLUTE favorite of fishing. John could sit on a fishing bank, bridge, boat you name it for days at a time and be just as content. The self-proclaimed fishing guru would always say “can’t nobody out fish him.” You knew if you were going fishing with John you better pack a suitcase because you were going to be there a while, but there was never a dull moment.
John loved reflecting on life and special moments, even during his long battle with illness. He was glad about the changes he had made in his life and his accomplishments. He spoke of how proud he was of his son and daughters and their accomplishments. John also had a special relationship with his cousin Vince, whom he was proud of and bragged about. Nevertheless, John loved all his family and friends however would not pass up a moment for argument.
John received a Meritorious Public Service Award from Mayor Jack Ford in 2004. For his heroic act, which saved two young girls who had been kidnapped. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church where he was on the usher board. John was also a member of the Windjammers Van Club.
John was always John and there was no one like him. To know him was to love him, even if you were upset with John you never could stop loving him. He was his own man; couldn’t anyone tell him different. His smile, joking crazy personality will be missed, but never forgotten.
John was proceeded in death by his parents, stepfather, brother, stepbrother and stepsister. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Terri Neal; son Gregory (Jessica) Neal Jr.; daughters Kalah (Greg) Walker, Ashley Neal and Jalon Neal; step-brother Otha (Verbie) Hunter Jr.; grandchildren Caleb, Donavan, and Evan Neal, Gregory II and Kenslee Walker; aunt, Edna L. Brown; special aunt Dorris Pittman; special cousins, Vincent (Deanna Davis) Pittman, Brenda (Timmy) Brock and Charlene Mitchell-Rogers; special friends Terry Miller, Mark Scurles and John Jackson Sr. and a host of other relatives and friends. Special thanks to caretaker, Jasmine Valentine.
John attended Scott High School and worked at Textile Leather Company for several years. John being a “jack of all trades” entered the construction field where he met his devoted wife, partner and friend of 34 years, Terri Hughes. John went on to attend apprentice school and become a brick mason. John was never one to take orders for too long, and this amongst other factors lead him to pursue one of his life dreams and open “The House of Value”, music and resale store. This became one of his proudest accomplishments. John used his love for music to build his business clientele, but these were not just his customers, many of them became longtime friends and acquaintances as John made a mark on almost every person he met. He spent many years operating his business, even DJ'ing during his spare time. John was forced to retire due to health issues after over 10 years of business.
John, also known as “Redd,” by many did not let his health condition keep him from spending time with his friends and family. John continued his many hobbies of cooking, playing cards, dominos, shooting pool, going to the casino and his ABSOLUTE favorite of fishing. John could sit on a fishing bank, bridge, boat you name it for days at a time and be just as content. The self-proclaimed fishing guru would always say “can’t nobody out fish him.” You knew if you were going fishing with John you better pack a suitcase because you were going to be there a while, but there was never a dull moment.
John loved reflecting on life and special moments, even during his long battle with illness. He was glad about the changes he had made in his life and his accomplishments. He spoke of how proud he was of his son and daughters and their accomplishments. John also had a special relationship with his cousin Vince, whom he was proud of and bragged about. Nevertheless, John loved all his family and friends however would not pass up a moment for argument.
John received a Meritorious Public Service Award from Mayor Jack Ford in 2004. For his heroic act, which saved two young girls who had been kidnapped. He was a member of Friendship Baptist Church where he was on the usher board. John was also a member of the Windjammers Van Club.
John was always John and there was no one like him. To know him was to love him, even if you were upset with John you never could stop loving him. He was his own man; couldn’t anyone tell him different. His smile, joking crazy personality will be missed, but never forgotten.
John was proceeded in death by his parents, stepfather, brother, stepbrother and stepsister. He leaves to cherish his memory his wife Terri Neal; son Gregory (Jessica) Neal Jr.; daughters Kalah (Greg) Walker, Ashley Neal and Jalon Neal; step-brother Otha (Verbie) Hunter Jr.; grandchildren Caleb, Donavan, and Evan Neal, Gregory II and Kenslee Walker; aunt, Edna L. Brown; special aunt Dorris Pittman; special cousins, Vincent (Deanna Davis) Pittman, Brenda (Timmy) Brock and Charlene Mitchell-Rogers; special friends Terry Miller, Mark Scurles and John Jackson Sr. and a host of other relatives and friends. Special thanks to caretaker, Jasmine Valentine.