David Neal (90) of Tempe, Arizona passed away at home on January 6, 2025,
surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Christine and 4 of their children
Terry (Luellen), Stuart (Michele), Kirk, Jeff (Evie); 17 grandchildren and 14 great
grandchildren his older sister Nelda, his brother Tommy and his younger sisters
Dorothy, Juanita and Alice. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son David
Hugh Neal who passed August 4, 2021, his grandson Jacob who passed August 23,
1995 and great grandson Noah, April 4, 2021.
David was born on January 3, 1935, to Newton and Louise
Neal in St. Johns, Arizona. He was the second child of six.
His childhood was filled with work and play. His dad owned
a ranch in New Mexico and they raised polled Hereford
cattle. He enjoyed playing with his younger brother and
sisters on that ranch. He learned how to tend cattle and ride
horses and work the ranch with his dad. He went to school in
St. Johns Arizona where they lived. They always had a large
number of chickens from which they raised eggs and sold
them to the store and others in town. He normally worked at
least two other jobs while he was going to school and playing
sports. He lettered in basketball, football and baseball. He
was in choir and loved to sing. He graduated high school in
1953 and then decided to go to ASU to study chemistry and
physics. He received a masters in both chemistry and physics
and he then went on to receive his doctorate in chemistry
in 1969.
He met his sweetheart Christine Cowley and they started to
date when she was 15 in high school. They got engaged after
high school while he was going to ASU and she was at NAU.
He was called on a mission for 2 ½ years to Montevideo
Uruguay for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints.
When he got back, they wasted no time and were married in
the Mesa Arizona Temple two weeks after he got back from
his mission on October 11, 1957. Christine graduated from
NAU with a teaching degree and worked to help put him
through school. When David graduated from school, he got
a job teaching at Alhambra High School then he applied to
teach at Mesa Community College which was opening a new
campus in Mesa. He was hired and taught at MCC from 1966
till about 2002. He loved teaching and he was loved by his
students and coworkers as well. He always had time for his
students when they were having trouble with chemistry. He
made chemistry easy for all of his students. He didn't think
anyone should ever get an F as long as they put effort in,
he was willing to help them understand chemistry.
David always loved learning, in fact he once said that he
easily could have been a professional student. He always was
reading and studying something. He was a lifelong member
of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints not only
did he hold many callings, but he served faithfully in those
callings. He was a scout master for over 20 years during
which all five of his boys received their eagle award. His
family was honored as the scout family of the year in 1984.
He was an avid genealogist. He spent the latter part of his
years working on genealogy and doing temple work for those
who have passed on. He loved the gospel. He was a disciple
of Jesus Christ and taught his children to love God and to
work hard. This was his greatest achievement.
He loved being a granddad. His grandchildren loved him and
loved to be taken in the old Chevy delivery coupe to feed the
horses, hunt scorpions, swing or ride bikes and get his bear
hugs. He always took time for is family when they needed
him. He will be missed.
Services will be held Friday,
January 17, 2025.
Viewing at 1:00pm and
funeral services at 2:00pm.
The Church of Jesus Christ
of latter-day Saints
10 South 12 Oaks Boulevard,
Chandler AZ 85226