Roger H. Neal, 78, of North Platte, Nebraska passed away suddenly on Friday, November 10, 2023 at his home.
Roger was born on March 17, 1945 in North Platte the 2nd son of Harold and Maxine (Lancaster) Neal.
Roger graduated from McPherson County High School in Tryon, NE in 1963 and then attended for two years at Chadron State College. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on January 25, 1966 and served for four years during the Vietnam War, honorably discharged on December 31, 1969, 3rd Class Petty Officer.
Roger was married on March 17, 1978 in North Platte to Judith R. Gerken, together they expanded their family from Roger’s son from a previous marriage to another son and daughter from Judith’s previous marriage. Roger spent most of his career with the Union Pacific railroad as a pipefitter and retired in 2011 after 30 years of service.
The first thing Roger purchased after his discharge from the Navy was a saddle. Thus began his great love of roping and riding horses and spending time in the great outdoors. He was a member of the following roping and rodeo organizations: Tryon roping club, Lake Maloney roping club, NSRA and Mid-States rodeo, and USTRA. He was also a member of the North Platte Eagles and Moose clubs. Roger loved watching his kids rodeo, roping with his family, and especially watching his grandchildren and great grandchildren’s many activities. Roger and Judy raised cocker spaniels for over 10 years. Following retirement Roger enjoyed camping and fishing with his best friends the Kallhoff’s and Odean’s. He also enjoyed keeping busy and tinkering around his garage and keeping his yard nice. Roger was an avid Husker football fan, and never turned down a chance to meet friends and family out for super and go to the horseraces on occasion. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish Roger’s memory are his wife of 45 years, Judy; daughter, Tina (Lynn) Pyzer of North Platte; sons, Tim (Amy) Ham of Hershey, Pat Neal of TX; grandchildren, McKenzie Dowse and Tel (Danneeka) Pyzer; great grandchildren, Hayden, Hudson, Hadlynn, Heaton, and Huckley; brother, Larry (Sharon) Neal of North Platte; nephews, Scott (Robyn) Neal and Tim Neal; special friends, Pat and Diane Kallhoff, and Kim and Ellen Odean; as well as many other special relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Maxine Neal; infant twin brothers.
Memorial services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Shanon Williams officiating. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. with military honors at Fort McPherson National Veterans Cemetery near Maxwell. Visitation and viewing will be from 1:00 to 7:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Tuesday, November 14th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Memorials may be made to either the Callahan Cancer Center or to the family for future designation.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.