JAMES HAROLD NEEL, SR.

1931-2018

James H. (Jim) Neel, Sr., age 86, died peacefully at his Houston home on January 17, 2018. He was buried January 27, 2018 in Palestine, Texas. A devoted beloved husband of wife Marion Sowell Neel for 60 years. Graduated Timpson High 1949 Salutatorian, class President, participated in basketball and choir, was prom king and champion roller skate dancer. Graduate of U.T. Austin mechanical engineering 1960. Texas National Guard, Sgt., Air Force Korea Strategic Air Command (SAC) Select Crew, 210 missions. Worked at Boeing, Seattle & Cape Canaveral as plane inspector. In Houston during the 70s Asst. Mgr. Uncle Ben’s & Blue Ribbon rice (still sold) mills. Owner of Industrial Advisors International which built rice mills in Latin America, largest still in operation in Guatemala City. Patents held. Brilliant Engineer for 46 years designing oil/gas platforms worldwide. PEWI real estate broker, home inspector, scout leader, basketball coach, whistler, ukulele player, Cadillac buff, canoeist, pilot, Mr. Fixit to 100’s of family and friends and taught 3 children to fix things. Donated 17 gallons of blood to M.D. Anderson. A great guy that will be missed terribly by 100’s of family and friends. Survived by Greats Uncle Burma and Aunt Alma Watson of Timpson, son Harold, Vanuatu isle, Layla (19), Kirsty, Brisbane AU, Richard, Maria, Ivan, Kelli, Houston, Tessa, Phoenix (5), Georgie (2), Puerto Vallarta, Margaret N. Masters, Marlo (19), Maggie (16), Marin (13), Colorado Springs. Memorials may be made to James H. (Jim) Neel, Sr. and Marion Sowell Neel, The University of Texas, PO Box 7458, Austin, TX 787137438 or go to online https:// giving.utexas.edu

Memorial Service will be held April 14, 2018, 11 am at Bethany Christian Church, 3223 Westheimer Road, Houston, TX 77098. Ph: 713523-1609