Obit of Neal, Kenneth Loren - Haskell County, Oklahoma Thanks to Bakersfield Californian for permission to upload their obits to the USGenWeb Archives. Copyright, http://www.bakersfield.com/ 21 Dec 2008 http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/haskell/haskell.html ===================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ===================================================================== ::NOT LISTED Kenneth Loren Neal Services: Thurs., May 8, 11 a.m. Nov. 20, 1923 May 4, 2003 Funeral services will be held at Delano Mortuary, 707 Browning Rd., Delano, CA, Thursday, May 8, 2003, at 11:00 a.m. Brother Bill Lynch will officiate the service. Pallbearers will be Kelvin and John Gregory, Eric and Kenny Rufert and Grandsons Hunt Turner and Guillermo Yglesias. Kenneth was born to Henry and Lula Neal on November 20, 1923, and was raised on a beautiful country farm home place in Stigler, Oklahoma. He passed away on Sunday, May 4, 2003, in Delano where he lived with his loving wife, Helen Brazeal Neal, for 61 years. Helen says she picked Ken out when she was in the third grade. Ken finally noticed her in High School. They were married by Mr. Emmory Barnes on Valentines Day in 1942. Austin and Iris Barnes were Best Man and Maid of Honor. That night they went to the movies to see Gone with the Wind. They traveled to Fort Bragg, California, where they honeymooned with longtime friends Olan and Alma Jewel Barnes, Dowel and Geraldine Coplen and Ratha Snow. Ken and Helen were sweethearts throughout their lives together. Kenneth attended Perry Country School where his teachers, Ms. Hail (primer through 2nd grade), Ms. Dovie LaFaye (3rd through5th) and Mr. Rogers (6th through 8th grade) taught their grades in one classroom. Kenneth was a high school graduate and completed numerous correspondence courses as an adult. He fondly remembered Ms. Hail, who taught him public speaking (rehearsing him often on the front steps of the school). Kenny had many natural abilities, especially in the areas of leadership, Christian fellowship, eloquent writings, and problem solving difficult tasks (skilled in math and engineering). Over his life he grew beautiful gardens; landscaped the Delano High School; appreciated antique cars; fixed-up old homes for rentals; helped build the Church of Christ in Delano on Oxford Street; loved his children and raised a wonderful family; laughed around campfires with his brothers and sisters; took his granddaughters to the beach every Easter and wrote poems to Helen. Kenneth is fondly remembered by many for his work at Delano High. As a young man (25 years old) he transported Delano High students to school and home and to sports/band/other activities between San Francisco, Los Angeles and throughout Kern County. He worked at Delano High for 13 years where he became head of grounds and transportation. He enjoyed being President of the local CSEA Union. He retired as Produce Manager of Thriftymart Grocery in Delano in 1979. Kenneth was a devoted brother, husband, father and grandfather to his wife and three children, four granddaughters and four great- grandchildren (another expected in a few months). Kenneths oldest daughter, Carolyn Hamilton (1996) and young son, Kenneth Dale Neal (1976) preceded his death. He is survived by his wife, Helen and his daughter and son-in-law, Janice and Danny Moore of Bakersfield and son-in-law, Mac Hamilton of Escondido; four granddaughters, Debbie (Hamilton) and husband, Hunt Turner of Pasadena, Kimberly (Hamilton) and husband, Guillermo Yglesias of San Jose, Kristi (Moore) and husband, Brian McCreedy and Daina Moore of Bakersfield; four great-grandchildren, Chase Jamieson, Summer Jamieson, Brian McCreedy Jr. and Carolyn Yglesias. Kenneth was the third of seven children. He is predeceased by his parents, two brothers and one sister, Henry Lee and wife, Sue Neal, Hershell Ivan Neal and Eunice and husband, Pat Watkins and brother- in-law, Bill Witt. He is survived by three sisters, Delila Witt of Oklahoma City, Hilda and husband, Bill Covert of Hanford, Lou Ellen and husband, Tony Rubash and sister-in-law, Virgie Neal of Bakersfield. He will be missed by many nieces and nephews. Our family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff of Delano Hospital. Special Thanks to Dr. Radhey Bansel and Dr. Nolan Anderson (both of Delano), Dr. Charles Tam, Dr. Dale Harriett and Dr. Robert Kopelman (all of Bakersfield), Dr. Erol Kosar and Dr. James McPherson (both of Centinela Hospital, LA). Special Thanks to Mr. Floyd Corder who walked to Kens home often to say a prayer (a good neighbor to the end who many times helped Ken and Helen water or feed their chickens and peacocks or mowed their lawn at his young age of 90 years). Special Thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Benny Rodriguez who were such good neighbors for so many years (even drove back to Delano after they moved to Bakersfield offering help to Ken). Thank you to Don and Juanita Gallagher and the church congregation for their support and to all the friends, family and neighbors who stopped by often and sent cards, letters and prayers. Thank you to the community of Pine Flat, California and all those who stopped by to sit a spell on the front porch of the cabin possibly finding a rake or hammer in their hand before they left. Kenny, you were our Hero! We will miss you and remember you always. Delano Mortuary Funeral Directors --------------------------------------------------------------------- Return to Haskell County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/haskell/haskell.html