Donald Turner McNeal went home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Friday, July 18, 2025.  Don was born on March 23, 1949, in El Paso, Texas, to George Thomas McNeal and Meriem Elizabeth Brock.

Don grew up in El Paso, and, after graduating from Austin High School, he began working for his tio, Jim McNeal, at Merchant Freight Lines. He moved to Glenwood, New Mexico, and worked several years for the U.S. Forest Service, including working on the original rebuild of the Catwalk.

He met MarySue through their parents at Immanuel Baptist Church in El Paso, TX. They married and moved to Flagstaff, AZ, where he attended forestry classes at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, and worked as a forest fire fighter. He served as a deacon at First Southern Baptist Church of Flagstaff.  They moved back to El Paso where they raised their two children, attended Vista del Sol Baptist church, and he began a 20-year career at Chevron Refinery. He retired to Colorado Springs, CO, and lived there for 10 years before deciding to move to Albuquerque to be closer to their mountain retreat in the Gila mountains. He was a member of First Baptist Church of Rio Rancho, NM until his passing.

Donald enjoyed fishing, woodworking, crocheting, crafts, coin collecting, and reading, but most of all, cooking. He loved all sorts of foods from all cultures, and he was quite adventurous with trying new foods and recipes. He had a vast library of recipes, some of which were passed down through generations...but he had an interesting filing system–some could be found in old recipe boxes, some highlighted with a page turned down in a cookbook or magazine, others in a random drawer, and still others tucked away like hidden treasures in a novel somewhere.

Donald is survived by his wife of 51 years, MarySue McNeal (Needham) and his children, Robbin Dawn Freeman (Orin) and Donald Brock McNeal (Stefanie), as well as grandchildren, Morgan Jean McNeal, Madison Grace McNeal, Castiel Turner Freeman, and Whitley Adrina Freeman. He is also survived by sisters, Judy Smith (Jim Vanderveen), JoRuth McKennon (Kirk), Beth Anderson (Jeff), Laura Iaeger (Brian), and favorite cousin Debbie McNeal Parr, along with many other cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was a soft-spoken man, and he had a gentle but fun demeanor. He was kind, caring, approachable, and often started up conversations with random strangers. He loved God and his family, and it showed in his words and actions.

The memorial service for Don will be Friday, August 8, 2025 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church Rio Rancho,  NM, 3906 19th Ave SE. Rio Rancho, NM 87124

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in his name to First Baptist Church Rio Rancho, New Mexico or the Parkinsons Foundation.

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