George Neel, Jr.

George E. Neel, Jr. passed away on March 22, 2015 - Husband, father, and grandfather, Friend, man of faith, humble and gentle. He was a kind man who had the capacity for unconditional love, respect for all, and unending love for his family. He was a man who had a great passion for ranching and the land. He also was a respected businessman in the community, continuing the legacy of Neel Title Corporation from 1958 to the present, well over 60 years. He was also a published short-story writer, writing about the fictitious cowboy Joe Monohan, among other characters. George Neel was born in Laredo on May 14, 1930 and graduated from Martin High School in 1947. He was a member of the Legendary Eleven Iron Men football team famous for playing offense and defense the entire game without substitutions of players. George Neel received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Baylor University in 1951. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1952, where he advanced to the rank of First Lieutenant, leading a mortar platoon. He was stationed first in Japan and later in Korea and honorably discharged in 1954. He received his Master of Arts degree in English from the University of Texas in 1958 and married the love of his life, Ann Hughes Neel. They then moved to Laredo where he became Manager of Neel Title Corporation (then known as "Henry Abstract") eventually expanding the operation to cover five counties in Laredo and the surrounding areas. In 1980 Parker Neel graduated from Law School and joined him in the family business insuring the continuation of a ninety year tradition. He was president of the Laredo Rotary Club in 1965, Director and Secretary of the Texas Land Title Association from 1970-1975, Laredo International Fair and Exposition rancher of the year, Laredo Chamber of Commerce Conservationist of the Year, Laredo Builders Association Cornerstone Award Recipient, and Webb County Soil Conservation District Rancher Businessman of the year in 2014. George Neel ran a successful ranching enterprise on several ranches in Webb and McCulloch Counties. He had a strong passion for his registered Polled Hereford cattle whose bloodline stretches back well over 50 years. Over the last few years he began developing oil and gas on the South Texas ranches when the Eagleford Shale boom began. We will miss him. May God's blessing be with him! George E. Neel, Jr is survived by his loving wife, Ann Hughes Neel, his sons George E. Neel, III (Rosie), and Parker J. Neel (Lori), daughter Nina Sanders (Jeffrey), grandchildren, George E. Neel, IV, Mathew Neel, Pierce Neel, Zachary Neel, Parker M. Neel, Elizabeth Sanders and Michele Sanders, sister Suzy Neel Mayo and nephews James "Jimmy" Mayo and William "Bill" Mayo and their five children James Allen (Tara) Mayo III, John (Chelsea) Mayo, Sarah Christine Mayo (Tim McDonald), William Neel (Brandi) Mayo Jr., Nicholas Porter Mayo and Michael; grandchildren Piper Walker Mayo and William Neel Mayo III. He was predeceased by his father George E. Neel, Sr. and mother Selma Rotan Neel. Pallbearers will be Zachary Neel, Parker M. Neel, George Neel, IV, Mathew Neel, Pierce Neel, James Mayo, William Mayo and Kyle Sanford. Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 27, 2015 at Christ Church Episcopal, 2320 Lane Street; visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., with the funeral ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at the Laredo City CemeteryEpiscopal Section. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Christ Church Episcopal or The Salvation army. You may extend your condolences to the family online at www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, TX 78041, 956.722.8850