Carl McNeal, Sr.

April 1, 1939 - October 18, 2014

SGM (Ret) Carl McNeal, Sr., age 75, a resident of Lawrenceburg, passed away Saturday, October 18, 2014 at Maury Regional Medical Center. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, October 22nd at 11am at St. John's Church, 324 West Gain Street, Lawrenceburg, TN 38464 with Rev. Kevin Cross officiating. Burial will follow in Bumpas Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army. The family will visit with friends from 10am until the service hour at 11am at the church. Heritage Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Carl was born on April 1, 1939 in Poughkeepsie, New York and was the son of the late Joseph McNeal and the late Helen Elizabeth Long McNeal Thomas. He graduated from Linton High School in Schenectady, New York where he was an all-state football player and received a full scholarship to Kentucky State University. He served his country in the United States Army where he received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Expert Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and numerous other Army awards and decorations. He also graduated from Military Leadership Classes: Leadership Management Course, Air ground Operations Course, Battalion Training Management System Workshop, and Sergeants Major Academy. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania. Carl also enjoyed cooking, collecting trains, farming, and listening to and collecting late rhythm and blues from motown. Carl is survived by his three sons: Carl McNeal, Jr. of Muscle Shoals, AL, Randall (Angel) McNeal of Ft. Myers, FL, and Paul (Rebecca) McNeal, Sr. of Lawrenceburg, TN; siblings: SMS (Ret) Joe B. (Mildred) McNeal of Idaho, Cleo Robinson of Miami, Richard G. McNeal of Schenectady, New York; eighteen grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and sister-in-law: Estell McNeal. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Donald McNeal; and his wife, Terry McNeal. Pallbearers will be Carl McNeal, Jr., Randy McNeal, Paul McNeal, Andre McNeal, Devon McNeal, and Curtis Vanslyke. Honorary pallbearers will be Captain Alfred Dixon, SMS (Ret) Joe B. McNeal, Richard McNeal, Joseph McNeal, Richard McNeal, Jr, and George DeWitt.