Roy passed into the arms of our Father on December 8, 2013 after he lost his battle with pancreatic cancer. Roy was born in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Roy E. and Donna Jean Neal. He proudly served his country in the US Army with a tour of duty in Korea, Germany and Vietnam. He received many medals including the Silver Oak Leaf Cluster. Roy was stationed at Fort Belvoir, VA when he met his wife Michelle while on leave in Youngstown, they were married August 19, 1972.
Roy had a passion for car racing and drag raced at Meander Dam and Sunset drag strip while he lived in Ohio. In 1992, Roy, along with his wife and two sons moved to California where he worked as the Mechanic Foreman for the Tri Pallet Company. Within a year he started racing stock cars in San Jose and Watsonville, CA.
When he retired, he turned his attention to his grandson's racing who had, "The need for speed," like his grandpa. He also worked on and built race motors for many drivers.
Roy leaves behind his wife Michelle of 42 years and two sons: Roy A. Neal, his wife Christina Neal and Cory M. Neal, all of Los Banos. He leaves behind four grandchildren of whom he was very proud, Allen Neal, Shelby Neal, Allison Neal and Elizabeth Neal. Roy also leaves twin sisters Jacquelyn Richards of Struthers, Ohio and Jeraldine Lesko of Youngstown, Ohio and brother William Neal of Struthers, Ohio. He was preceded in death by two brothers Robert Neal and Robbie Parker.
Visitation will be at Whitehurst Funeral Chapel in Los Banos on Friday December 13, 2013 at 1:00 p.m., the services will begin at 2:00 p.m. The military funeral service will be held on Wednesday, December 18, 2013 at 12:30 noon at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, 32053 West McCabe Road, Gustine, CA.
Funeral Services are under the direction of Whitehurst Funeral Chapel~Los Banos.