Donald R. Neel

Donald Robert Neel, age 67, passed away November 15, 2016 at his home in Independence, Missouri, after battling pulmonary lung disease. Don was born in Kansas City on May 3, 1949 to Thomas V. and Berniece Parker Neel, predeceased, and had one sibling, Thomas Neel. Don’s family moved west living in Santa Barbara, Calif., Portland, Oregon and Nevada, before returning to Kansas City to live with his grandmother Layte Neel Colbertson. Don graduated from SouthEast High School and at age 20 enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he was promoted to the rank of E-5, serving as a Helicopter Flight Engineer during the Viet Nam campaign and received numerous commendations before his honorable discharge; National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Air Medal, Good Conduct Medal. Don was a dedicated and loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle and is survived by his three children Carey Don Neel, Victoria Wright & Shelbi Neel ; three grandsons, Jay Jay Wright, Jaymi Wright and Kyng Leach, brother Thomas Neel , nephew Jared Neel and niece Rebekah Ingold, of Kansas City, Missouri and many dear friends. Don worked at Stratco, Inc. an oil refinery equipment manufacturer in Leawood, KS for 19 years. After leaving Stratco, he attended Penn Valley Community College, earning his nursing degree in 2002. Don worked as a registered nurse until his retirement. Don was a gifted artist, musician and composer favoring the rock n roll music genre and the Beatles, and was a collector of baseball cards, stamps and coins. He relished in restoring muscle cars and spent hours in his garage refurbishing them. Don gave his heart to the Lord as a teen and studied the Bible for wisdom to live out his faith in God. His faith and family were paramount and he considered his role as a father and grandfather his purpose in life. His beliefs were expressed in his favorite quote, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” –Pierre T. deChardin A Celebration of Life service will be held on Monday, Nov. 21st from 6:00 – 7:00 pm at the First Baptist Church, 100 W. Red Bridge Rd., KCMO 64114.