Hugh Nathan McNeal was born on Jan. 13, 1947 in Idabel, Okla. to J.B. and Opal E. (Jennings) McNeal. Hugh passed away on July 22, 2018 in Denison, Texas at the age of 71.
Hugh graduated from Idabel High School and Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from Aug. 2, 1966 until he received his Honorable Discharge on July 31, 1970. From May 1968 to June 1969 he served in Vietnam with the Mobile Riverine Force on Boat T-151-4. For his military service, he received the Navy Achievement Medal w/ 1 Gold Star, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal w/ 1 Bronze Star, Navy Unit Commendation and other honors and awards.
On July 29, 1976, he married the love of his life, Pamela Jane Andrews, at the Bennington First Baptist Church, and they lovingly raised their two daughters Natalie and Lindsey. Hugh was a rancher and enjoyed raising Charolais cattle. He also worked in retail management. He was a Wal-Mart manager for ten years, owned and managed the T-Bird store in Bennington for 13 years and then worked with Indian Nation Wholesale in Durant until his retirement. He was a former member of the Bennington School Board and Sigma Tau Gamma Fraternity while attending SOSU. Hugh devoted his life to God, his family and country. He enjoyed sports, listening to music and watching his children and grandchildren grow up.
Hugh was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Jerry and Arnold McNeal; mother-in-law, Mona B. Andrews; brother-in-law, Steve Williams, and sister-in-law, Arlene McNeal.
Hugh is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Pamela McNeal of the home; daughters, Natalie Carlgren and Lindsey Marshall, both of Aledo, Texas; cherished grandsons Jacob Carlgren, Blake Marshall and Andrew Carlgren all of Aledo; sister, Sandra Williams of Oklahoma City, Okla.; father-in-law, John Andrews of Bennington, Okla.; sister-in-law, Nancy McNeal of Idabel, Okla.; brothers-in-law, Clay Andrews and wife, Janice, and Mark Andrews all of Bennington, Okla. and numerous extended family and dear friends.
Funeral services to celebrate Hugh’s life will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2018, at the Bennington First Baptist Church. Bro. Steven Alexander will officiate. Interment will follow in Old Bennington Church Cemetery with nephews Brad McNeal, Bryan Williams, Landon Andrews, Josh Andrews, Jarren Andrews, Idabel classmate Bill Austin, and brothers-in-law Clay and Mark Andrews serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be nieces Jennifer Williams, Claisie Fenley, Sherry Mickleberry, Kim McNeal, Christy Clark, Rebecca Smith and Emily Andrews. The family will receive friends at the Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m, and Bro. Jim Robinson will speak. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the Veterans’ charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.brownsfuneralservice.com.
Arrangements are under the direction of Brown’s Durant Funeral and Cremation Service.
