James Burton Neal
October 2, 1962 – June 18, 2022
Burt passed Saturday, June 18, at the age of 59. He was born October 2, in Arizona and adopted by James Robert and Jessie Lee Morris Neal. Two months later he gained a sister, Amanda, who was adopted that December, completing the family.
Burt graduated Lead Hill Highschool in 1980 and joined the Navy. He served until 1986 and received an Honorable Discharge as a class E4. Using his Navy training he made a lifelong career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an Air Traffic Controller. He retired at the age of 56 and enjoyed spending time with his wife, family, and friends.
Burt had many passions and interest. He enjoyed comics and was able to meet one of his hero’s, Stan Lee. He loved Spiderman from a young age and enjoyed collecting memorabilia. He also had a passion for sports, his favorite teams being The Washington Redskins and Arkansas Razorbacks.
He never retreated from a debate and thrived on friendly, and usually loud, banter with an equally passionate partner. While he was known to be loud, from his sneeze, to
his voice, to his laugh, he was normally found with a smile on his face.
Burt met Patricia in 2001. They combined their families in 2002 and raised the children in Virginia. This November would have been their 20-year anniversary. Nothing rivaled the love and happiness he had for the little people that called him Paw Paw. He enjoyed his time with the grandchildren and loved that he had so much more time with them after retirement.
Burt is survived by his wife, Patty, sister, Amy and Jeff Dixon of Lead Hill, AR, and his children and their families: Renee and Travis Langston of Lead Hill, AR; Weston Neal of
Lead Hill, AR; Khandi and Josh Bost of Hope Mills, NC; James Jr and Catherine Neal of Ocean Springs, MS; Bryan and Kelly Thomas of Clarksville, TN; Zac Neal of Clarksville, TN;
and Sarah Thomas and Alvin Wood of Farmville, VA. He has left many friends and family behind, including cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, a great grandchild.
Burt is preceded in death by his parents, Bob and Jessie Neal, Grandmother Arlene Novak, and nephew Charles Robert Dixon.
Visitation will be at First Baptist Church of Lead Hill on Friday, June 24, at 9:00 am, followed by the funeral at 10:00 am. Burt will be laid to rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery.
Family and friends are invited back to the church after the service for lunch.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Burt’s honor to: St. Jude Hospital, American Legion, Dave Thomas Foundation, or Vanderbilt Cancer Center.
If you would like to send flowers, please use Caspian Flowers & Gifts 870.741.4693.