Dan Anthony Neal, age 79, passed away on Friday, May 15, 2020, at his home in Irving, TX, from colon cancer. He was born Jan. 7, 1941, in San Antonio, TX, a son of the late Charles William Neal, DVM and Lasca (Franklin) Neal. He was the beloved husband for 47 years to Lynda (Maupin) Neal; father of Vanessa Ann Neal and Rachel Katherine Neal Skinner (Josh); grandfather of Samuel, Caleb, Miriam, Benjamin, Madeleine, Joseph, Margaret and John (Jack); brother of Mary Ellen Neal Darby and the late Charles Franklin Neal (Linda), Jane Neal Sellers, and Jimmy Gleason Neal; uncle of Kathleen, Kristine, Karen, and Kerri; Darren, Douglas and Amy; Stephen, Michael, Mary Jane, Charles Edward, Peter Shawn, and Frank; Brian, Christie, and Michael; and many great-nieces and nephews; he was cousin of Judy Lou Rowe Koehl and Richard Rowe III, and the late Nancy Rowe Cox, DVM; and brother-in-law of Larry Maupin--whom Dan considered to be another brother--and Larrys dear wife Susan, Linda L. Neal, who was fondly called "Linda Charles" because there were two Lindas in the family, and the late Peter Joseph Darby, who kindly offered spiritual guidance and advice to Dan and his wife, particularly in their early years of marriage. Dan graduated high school from Subiaco Academy in Subiaco, Arkansas, served in the United States army, and later received an associate degree from El Centro College; he continued his studies at the University of North Texas. He worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, and retired there as a research assistant in the economics department after 25 years. He loved computer programming and his favorite days at work were those in which he created programs to aid his projects for the economists. He worked further as a campus safety officer at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas, for 11 years. He retired for good in 2009. While Dan served in the Army he discovered one of the great loves of his life, the 82nd Airborne division. Its website states, "The mission of the 82nd Airborne Division is to, within 18 hours of notification, strategically deploy, conduct forcible entry parachute assault and secure key objectives for follow-on military operations in support of national interests." Dan was very proud to be one of its members, and, while his unit never served in combat, he loved his parachuting adventures with them. He talked about it regularly through the years. One Veterans Day, he and his wife went to a local restaurant that offered free meals to all vets. As he left the restaurant the manager asked him what armed forces he had served with. Dan said, "The 82nd Airborne!" His wife laughed and said, "He thinks its its own branch of service." Dan said, "It is!" One of his most prized possessions was an extraordinarily handsome baseball cap with 82nd Airborne printed on it, gifted by a friend. His memory failed him in his latter years but he somehow always kept track of that cap and would wake up looking for it. Dan was a gentle, kind soul. He was always concerned about the happiness and care of others. He loved his family deeply and blessed them with countless acts of thoughtfulness, helping out in any way he could. He was an excellent "shade tree mechanic," and a naturally skilled handyman who received great satisfaction from repairing innumerable home appliances, tools, fences and much more for his homes, for decades. If one of his many fix-it books had no solution for a particular repair, Dan had the ability to instinctively figure it out. His wife always said Dan saved his family a fortune in repair bills. Dan was also an avid science buff, and had an in-depth knowledge of astronomy and biology. He (along with his dutiful wife, and daughter Vanessa) watched innumerable science shows regularly, including "Nova" and "Nasas Unexplained Files," and he actually understood what they were saying. His wife and daughter evened the scales when he watched Hallmark movies with them. He absolutely loved being at home, listening to a broad range of music daily, and spending time with all of his family, including his dogs Ava, Francis and Oliver. Any telling of Dans life without including his Christian faith would be incomplete. He was a Christian all his life, and his faith was deepened tremendously by the Catholic charismatic renewal in the 70s. A man of prayer and deep spiritual conviction, his favorite bible passages were Psalm 23 and Psalm 91, which he read often with his family through the years. Dan was an exhorter and often encouraged his family about Gods abiding love, provision and presence among them. The week he died he had an animated conversation with one of his hospice aides, telling her how much God loved her. He loved praying with his family, and was quick to pray for strangers in difficult situations. Dan leaves behind an incalculable legacy to those blessed to know him. He lived and loved well, and will be missed beyond measure. Family will receive friends Wednesday, May 20, 2020 from 6:00-8:00 pm with a rosary at 7:00 pm at Donnellys Colonial Funeral Home, 606 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, Texas 75061. Funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2020 with burial at Calvary Hill Cemetery, 3235 Lombardy Ln., Dallas, Texas 75220. The link to the live stream of the funeral service that will go live at 1:00 p.m. https://youtu.be/wySbTi-YcQ0 SERVICES

Visitation

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062

Rosary

Wednesday, May 20, 2020 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, Texas 75062

Funeral Service

Thursday, May 21, 2020 1:00 PM

Donnelly's Colonial Funeral Home Chapel 606 West Airport Freeway Irving, TX 75062

Committal Service

Thursday, May 21, 2020 2:30 PM

Calvary Hill Cemetery 3235 Lombardy Lane Dallas, Texas 75220