Doyle C. Neal

The Life and Dash of Doyle C. Neal. Doyle C. Neal’s dash of life began on February 11, 1922, in Konawa, Oklahoma, to James Thomas Neal and Mary Elizabeth (Eades) Neal. The family moved to Wanette, Oklahoma shortly after he was born and then moved back to Konawa where D.C. attended school. In his junior year, D.C. spent time in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) camps in and near Grand Junction, Colorado. In just a few short months of being in the CCC camp, war broke out and the United States was sending GI’s to posts in countries abroad. Willing to do his part in service, D.C. joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Sea Bee stationed primarily in the Philippines. (As Doyle did not finish his high school credits due to war time in 1941, the state of Oklahoma awarded him his High School Diploma in retrospect  at age 90). He spent 3 ½ years in the U.S. Navy and was honorably discharged in January of 1946.  Upon returning to Konawa, he married Margaret Jean Schrader on January 10, 1946. The two made their home in Seminole, Oklahoma, where they would be for the next 64 years. D.C. and Margaret were blessed to have 3 sons; Danny Neal and his wife Karen, of Copan, Oklahoma; Bill Neal and his wife Sandy, of Okemah, Oklahoma; Randy Neal of Seminole, Oklahoma; and 1 daughter, Mary Ann Tinsley and her husband Bob, of Paden, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Sheri Pitts and her husband Mark, of Enid, Oklahoma; Jake Neal and his wife Melissa of Prague, Oklahoma, Richard Neal of Enid, Oklahoma, Sarah Branson and her husband Larry, of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Seth Tinsley of Holdenville, Oklahoma, Bekah Cudd and her husband  Seth, of Yukon, Oklahoma and Maggie Lashbrook and her husband Ryan, of Stonewall, Oklahoma; great grandchildren; Allie Pitts of Enid, Oklahoma, Cevan and Christopher Neal of Enid, Oklahoma, Erica and Peyton Branson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, Eden Neal of Prague, Oklahoma, great great granddaughter, Lindy Pitts of Enid, Oklahoma, and by friendly adoption- Ken , Karen and Krista Green of Seminole, Oklahoma. He was also survived by two brothers; Kenneth Neal of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma and Glenn Neal of Salinas, California, and several nieces and nephews. Continuing in the dash of life, D.C’s work included diesel mechanics, welding and oilfield tank setting. He worked at O.L. Harvey Trucking for many years and then retired from Independent Tank Company in the early 1980’s. Retirement was filled with making gardens, fishing and camping with family, listening to tradio, trading knives, pheasant hunting and spray painting. D.C. enjoyed sowing enough turnip seeds to feed all of Seminole county. He and Margaret delivered meals-on-wheels as well as logging many hours at the Jasmine Moran Children’s Museum as the train conductor, complete with striped overalls and conductor's hat. He loved children, to say the least, and loved to make them smile while they enjoyed the activities there. He also served as a volunteer at the Seminole Hospital. D.C. and Margaret were active in the activities at Calvary Baptist, Ideal Street Baptist and then at the First Baptist Church in Seminole. Having had several responsibilities at church as Deacon, Treasurer and Baptism assistant, possibly he is most noted for  teaching 2nd grade Sunday school at the First Baptist Church in Seminole. D.C. had a sensational way of keeping 7 and 8 years olds captivated with the Bible stories and making the printed word come alive for the very active kiddos. A favorite of stories that he enjoyed telling was about Jonah. As he would tell the situations that happened to Jonah, one couldn’t help but feel like you were right there in the belly of that whale with Jonah. D.C. was hopeful in sharing the message of Jesus with those little ones. It was gratifying for him to see the children grow to be adult servants in the church. Putting smiles on strangers, as well as a friendly face, was important to Doyle. There was almost never a time that he was out and saw anyone that he didn’t give them a dog made from strands of beads. The pleasure that he received from the smiles cannot be described. While residing at the Oklahoma Veteran’s Center in Claremore, Doyle C. Neal ( Mutt or Pops) passed peacefully from this life to the glorious realms of heaven. His dash of life was completed on March 19, 2016. Pops was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Margaret Jean Schrader Neal, two brothers Lyn Neal and James Orphus (Pete)Neal five sisters; Connie Neal, Edna Porter, Zelma Atchley, Bernice Page and Geraldine Dulaney and a grandson by friendly adoption, Kenny Ray Green. The family would like to thank the 1C Unit at Oklahoma Veteran’s Center, in Claremore, Oklahoma, for their tireless efforts and diligent care that Pops received while there. As you share in the celebrated dash of life of our Daddy, Pops, Uncle, or friend, as you enjoy the beaded dog  that will be handed out at the funeral, and as you enjoy the cuteness of the little creature, please be reminded to pray for dementia patients that come to mind and remember to pray for their caregivers. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, March 23, 2106 at the First Baptist Church in Seminole, Oklahoma at 420 Reid St., with James Britt Lesley officiating. Burial will take place at 2:00 P.M. at the Konawa Cemetery, in Konawa, Oklahoma. Pallbearettes will be Sheri Pitts, Sarah Branson, Bekah Cudd, Maggie Lashbrook, Allie Pitts, Krista Green and Melissa Neal. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, Oklahoma. Funeral Information: March 23, 2016, 11:00 AM First Baptist Church at 420 Reid Street in Seminole, Okla. located at 420 Reid Street, Seminole, OK 74868