Donald C. "Don" Neal (FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla.)

FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. - Mr. Donald C. "Don" Neal, age 72, of Fernandina Beach, passed away on Friday afternoon, February 29, 2008. Born in Augusta, Georgia to the late Harry and Margaret McManus Neal, he was a lifelong resident of Augusta prior to moving to Amelia Island in 1984. Mr. Neal was a graduate of the Academy of Richmond County and the American Institute of Banking. He had also attended the University of Georgia, majoring in Business and Banking. His professional career in Augusta included serving for many years as the President of the Georgia Railroad Bank and Trust and upon retiring from banking he ventured into Real Estate and Insurance. He had served as a Richmond County Commissioner for 12 years. He also served as President of the Augusta Jaycees in 1966. A longtime supporter of and participant in Soap Box Derby Racing; he was the Director of such events in the Augusta area and personally advanced to the National Level in Akron, Ohio in the 1950s. Upon moving to Fernandina Beach, Mr. Neal organized and was the Director of local Soap Box Derby Racing which became a fun and competitive event involving community politicians, commissioners, young people and their families. His political endeavors continued as he was past Chairman of the Republican Party of Nassau County, served on the Republican Executive Committee and worked with Governor Jeb Bush of Florida implementing the Early Learning Coalition for Nassau, Clay, Bradford and Baker Counties; for which he also served as Chairman. Mr. Neal currently was serving as Director of the Amelia Island Management, was a member of the Fernandina Beach Optimist Club, St. Peter's Episcopal Church and had served in the United States Army National Guard. He leaves behind, his wife of 24 years, Linda Neal; two sons, Donald Neal, Jr. and his wife Beverly, Valley, AL, Harrison Neal, Fernandina Beach, FL; a daughter, Amanda Acree and her husband Richard, Augusta, GA; three brothers, Joseph Neal, Augusta, GA, Harry "Chip" Neal, Atlanta, GA, Billy Joe McCorkel, Augusta, GA; a sister, Linda McCorkel Rhodin, Augusta, GA; two grandsons, Crichton and Forrest Neal; a granddaughter, Alexandra Acree; and a host of nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, on Wednesday, March 5th, at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Fernandina Beach, FL with The Reverend George Young and The Reverend Kimberly L. Still, officiating. Mr. Neal will be laid to rest at a later date in a private ceremony. Guests and friends are invited to visit from 5:00 - 7:00 pm on Tuesday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in his memory to: Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Nassau County, 516 South 10th Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034, The Early Learning Coalition of Clay, Nassau, Baker & Bradford Counties, 1845 Town Center Blvd., Suite 150, Orange Park, FL 32003, or to Community Hospice of N/E Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257. Oxley - Heard Funeral Directors. Sign the guestbook at AugustaChronicle.com

The Augusta Chronicle-March 3, 2008