In Loving Memory of Everett Gilbert Neal

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Everett Neal, who left us on October 5th, 2024. Everett will be remembered for his selfless commitment to his family and friends, his hard work, creativity, and generous sense of humor. He was a beloved husband, father, papa, and friend; as well as a caring volunteer to the community.

Everett was born on November the 8th, 1946 at St. John's Hospital in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He grew up in Dawson, Oklahoma with his parents as the eldest of three children. He attended Will Rogers High School and received his BA from the University of Tulsa. He took a break from his college education to enlist and serve in the US Navy in 1967 where he completed a tour on the USNS Dutton in the North Atlantic Ocean.

After the Navy, he worked as the General Coordinator of the Praxis Project (Free University) in Tulsa, where in 1977 he met Marilyn Young, who worked at the library. They both attended a cooking class and after class he followed her to her car, working up the nerve to try his smooth pickup line, "Got any books on Vikings at the library?". The line must have worked because Marilyn found a handful of Viking books the next day and when he came in to get them, he asked her to dinner and coffee after work.

She said yes and on April 7th of 1978 they married in Tulsa and moved to Dawson where they started their family and he formed the Neal Properties where he practiced real estate. He then made his father's dream come true by opening the Neal Heat Treating Shop where they worked together until retirement.

Throughout his life, his real passion was creating art. Everett was a talented artist who worked in multi-media, which allowed him to create works in his own unique design. His furniture and sculptures are used and displayed in the homes of his family and friends. He entered and was recognized in several art shows throughout the region. He was a past president of the Tulsa Artist Coalition and founder of their location on Reconciliation Way.

Amongst all of his creations, his favorites were those he made with his grandchildren.

Everett was an active volunteer in his community and gave of his time and talent to many organizations. He volunteered with Susan's Rally, Bryant Elementary, Tulsa Public Library, Tulsa Ostomy Association, the Masons and the Shriners among many others. He also worked with the American Legion where he worked directly with veterans helping them receive their benefits. In his time at the Shriners he worked as a clown, bringing joy to children in their hospital rooms and parades as one of his alter egos, Buz and Dr. Buz. Throughout his volunteer activities and life, Everett touched many lives and made the world around him a better place.

He was a member of several fraternal affiliations including the Masons, Shriners, Scottish Rite and Sons of the American Revolution.

Everett had many hobbies, most of which he shared with is family. He enjoyed art, history, genealogy, archaeology, antiquing, clowning and gold panning, yes, gold panning (he even taught a class on panning for gold) with the Praxis Project where they actually found gold in the Arkansas River.

He enjoyed travel and often sought out unique and unusual experiences and sites, along with his wife, Marilyn. Some of his favorite trips included driving to Canada to see a Leonard Cohen concert, his trip to Sarasota, Florida to see where the circus winters, researching family genealogy and traveling to Britt, Iowa for the Hobo Convention. He would go out of his way to track down state folk artists and buy pieces directly from the creators once he located them. Everett wasn't one to pre-plan his travel but instead embraced his free spirit and let the road take him where it went. Often, much to the chagrin of his wife and kids.

Everett is survived by his loving wife of 46 years, Marilyn Neal, nee Young, his son Daniel Neal (Katherine) and daughter Anna Neal (Stephen). He has six grandchildren who know him as Papa, Aubrey Adaire, Jackson Neal, Colin McKinney, Elise McKinney, Ian McKinney and Maura McKinney. He was preceded in death by his father William "Gib" Neal and mother Betty Neal, nee Bruner.

A funeral service will be held on October 10th at 10am at Memorial Park Chapel. Friends and family are invited to attend and celebrate the life of Everett Neal.

Everett will be dearly missed by all who knew him. He will forever remain in our hearts and memories.