Harold Edwin Neel, 82 of Prospect and Key West, Florida, died Monday, February 2, 2015 at the Lower Key Medical Center in Key West. He was born February 26, 1932 on Neel Road in Richwood to the late Glenard Gaylord and Dorthy Pauline (Fryman) Neel.
On May 27, 1956 he married the former Juanita Maxine Dempster in Richwood and she survives.
He was a member of the Richwood Church of Christ. A veteran of the U. S. Navy, he served during the Korean War and retired as Chief in 1986. He was a member of American Legion post 40, VFW Post 870, both in Richwood; and a life member of the NRA. Harold was very proud of being a founding member of the Richwood Gun and Game Club. He had a great love of guns and enjoyed being a blacksmith. He always enjoyed an adventure whether it was on motorcycles, camping, canoe trips, hiking, dirt bikes, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, sailing or RVing. He and Nita enjoyed wintering in Key West. He loved the keys and had many friends there. He enjoyed a good game of pool. He loved giving his grandchildren rides on his motorcycle side car. Family life was a priority for Harold and he always had good advice to give and time to spend with his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He is survived by three daughters, Kristy (Mike) Apt; Kim Ransome; and Karolyne Hale, all of Prospect; Rick (Lona) Neel, Richwood; grandchildren, Paul Neel Apt, Shon Parks, Stacie Apt Beatty, Jennie Apt Roginski, Julie Apt Kyte, Daryl Ransome Clark, Patricia Neel, Ericka Neel, Derrick Neel, Neel Hale, Nick Hale, Jennie Babbini Bisconti, Justin Babbini, Jamie Babbini, Martin Bonders (German exchange student); 24 great-grandchildren; a sister, Barb (Richard) Schultz, Radnor; a brother, Don (Pam) Neel, Richwood.
He was preceded in death by two daughters, Kathy Parks and Karen Babbini; and a grandson, Abram Neel Ransome.
A memorial service will be held Friday, February 13, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home, Richwood with Pastor Scot Gorsuch officiating. Friends may call from 5 to 7 that day at the funeral home in Richwood.
An ocean-side memorial service was held in Key West.
Condolences and remembrances may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
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