Kenneth Neal

Memorial services for Kenneth E. Neal will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 2008 at the New Life Wesleyan Church in Gillette, Wyoming with Pastor Mike Morrison of the Cowboy Church officiating. Upon his request a private cremation service has taken place in Sun City, Arizona.Kenneth Neal age 74, passed away on May 6, 2008 in Sun City Arizona of natural causes.Kenneth Eugene Neal was born on January 18, 1934 the son of Herbert D. and Clara Fern (Wertz) Neal in Caldwell, Kansas. He was raised and educated in the Caldwell, Kansas area and graduated from the Arkansas City High School in 1951. Debra and Rocky were born while in Kansas; the family then moved to Farmington, NM where Marty and Shane were born. He owned and operated Kenco Pumping Service in New Mexico. In 1966 Ken and Rita were married in Woodland, CA. In 1968 they moved to Gillette, Wyoming, where they started Gane Production. During this time they also owned and operated the White Pony Restaurant and Neal?s Deals. After retirement they moved to Pinehaven. For the last nine years, they would spend their winters in Parker, Arizona. Ken was a Shriner, Mason,and a member of the Elks Club. Ken was also a councilman of Pinehaven and a board member of the Keyhole Country Club.He enjoyed fishing, golfing, and the occasional trip to Deadwood. Ken was a pilot and loved to fly his plane and ride his motorcycle any chance he had. He was defined by his strength, honesty and compassion for his family, friends and neighbors. He never met a stranger because he made a friend of everyone he met. He was known for his great jokes and story telling. Ken treasured the time he spent with his wife, children and grandchildren.Ken is survived by his wife, Rita Neal of Pinehaven,one daughter Debra (Daryl) Orbeck of Gillette, Wyoming, three sons; Rocky (Dee) Neal of St. George, Utah, Marty (Debora) Neal of Gillette, Wyoming, and Shane (Kathleen) Neal of Rock Springs, Wyoming, his mother C. Fern Neal Bishop of Ark City, Kansas, one sister Janice (Jerry) Bobek of Ark City, Kansas, seven grandchildren; Matt Schilz, Jeana Sturdevant, Jeffrey Neal, Jennifer Neal, Kari Neal, Marty Neal and Emily Neal, and eight great grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his father, one nephew, Steve McCord and one great grandson, Trevor Strurdevant.In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established in Ken?s name for the Oncology unit of Campbell County Memorial Hospital, Shriner?s Hospital or to the charity of the donor?s choice.Memorials or condolences can be sent to the Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, WY 82716 or via the internet www.walkerfuneralgillette.com