Captain Raphael Augustine Neale Jr, USNR
1916-2016 Comforted by loving family members, Raphael Augustine Neale Jr passed away in the early morning hours of Thursday, June 23, 2016. Ray was just seven weeks away from celebrating his 100th birthday before departing this ZRUOG RQ KLV ¿QDO ÀLJKW Born in Chattanooga, TN on August
5D\ ZDV WKH HOGHVW RI ¿YH children to Raphael A. Neale Sr and Mary Louis Herbert of Maryland. The ¿QDQFLDO VWUDLQV RI WKH *UHDW 'HSUHVVLRQ brought the family to Washington, D.C. where Ray earned his pilot’s license while attending Central High School. 8SRQ JUDGXDWLRQ KH EHFDPH D ÀLJKW LQstructor at Washington’s Congressional Airport where he met his most prized student, the love of his life and future wife, Mary Lou Colbert.
Again, as with many of his generation, world affairs intervened with the QDWXUDO ÀRZ RI OLIH :RUOG :DU ,, WRRN Ray to Pensacola, FL where he served DV D ÀLJKW LQVWUXFWRU XQWLO KLV WUDQVIHU WR WKH 3DFL¿F 7KHDWHU 0DU\ /RX ZHQW RQ to become a pioneer in women’s miliWDU\ DYLDWLRQ VHUYLQJ DV RQH RI WKH ¿UVW volunteers in the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs). While in the PaFL¿F 5D\ ÀHZ PHGLFDO HYDFXDWLRQ PLVsions in the epic battles of the Second World War. By War’s end he had earned two air medals and a gold star received IRU À\LQJ WHQ HYDFXDWLRQ PLVVLRQV GXUing combat operations on Okinawa.
In May of 1946 Ray and Mary Lou were married in St. Ignatius Church in Charles County, MD. The next several years saw the young couple move around the country as Ray took on civilLDQ À\LQJ MREV UDQJLQJ IURP VWLQWV ZLWK non-scheduled start-up airlines to cropdusting. These years were times of hope, happiness and adventure for the two.
In 1949 Ray was returned to active duty to serve in the historic Berlin Airlift. After the successful lifting of the Blockade and conclusion of the airlift, Ray again pursued a civilian aviation career, this time with the Flying Tigers Air Lines, only to be called back to active duty once again for the Korean War. While stationed in Honolulu, HI Ray and Mary Lou began a family with the birth of a son, Stephen, and a daughter, Denise.
Following the conclusion of hostilities, Ray returned to civilian life and moved his young family to Northridge, CA in 1954, where he became Chief Production Test Pilot for Lockheed Burbank. After the birth of another son, James, and daughter, Michelle, Ray relocated the family to Newhall, CA in 1960. There, Ray and Mary Lou would raise their family and remain for the rest of their lives.
After retiring from Lockheed in 1977, Ray and Mary Lou would enjoy foreign travel and many excursions in their camper van. Ray was beloved and respected by all who met him. His gracious and positive outlook on life were an inspiration to many as he continued to make new friendships and win hearts XS LQWR WKH ¿QDO ZHHNV RI KLV OLIH +RZever, the true joys of his last year were the hours he spent playing with his newly born great granddaughter. The two formed a bond symbolized by an infant’s hand wrapped around the steady ¿QJHU RI DQ ROG 1DY\ SLORW DQG FRPmunicated in nursery songs and baby chatter. It was pure love that spanned a century.
Captain Ray Neale was preceded in death by his beloved Mary Lou. He is survived by sons Stephen and James; daughters Denise Jensen and Michelle %UX\HUH JUDQGFKLOGUHQ &KULVWLQD 0Lsas, Mathew Dugan, Monique Fricke, Garrett Fricke and great-granddaughter Maleah Misas.
$ IXQHUDO PDVV LV SODQQHG DW DP on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, 23233 Lyons Ave, Newhall, CA 91321 and a graveside ceremony with military honors will follow at Eternal Valley, 23287 Sierra Hwy, Newhall. Reception to follow. The Signal, July 23, 2016 Sign the Legacy online guestbook at www.signalscv.com