A. Neal

A. Calvin Neal, age 81, of Ringgold, Virginia, went to be with the Lord on July 22, 2012, at Danville Regional Medical Center. He was the son of the late Arthur Elward Neal and Patty McDaniel Neal and was born in Pittsylvania County on November 12, 1930. He graduated from Dan River High School in 1948. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean War earning the rank of Tech Sergeant. He served overseas and flew in a B-29 as a cloud tracker for Operation Upshot Knothole. In 1953, he flew over Nevada in eleven atomic test missions exposing him to a large amount of nuclear radiation that was the root cause of an immobilizing disability later in life. On July 4, 1951, he was married to Geraldine (Jean) Wilkinson, who survives. They recently celebrated their sixty-first wedding anniversary. Calvin is also survived by two sons: Michael A. Neal and wife Debra, and Barry S. Neal and wife Donna, all of Ringgold. He is survived by five grandchildren: Tara Neal Payne and husband Toby of South Boston, Virginia; Brandon Neal and wife Laura of Kralendijk, Bonaire; Joseph Neal and wife Crystal of Ringgold; Stephanie Neal and Whitney Neal of Ringgold; one step-grandson, Walter Henderson of Ringgold, and six great-grandchildren. In 1944, he joined Ringgold Baptist Church where he was an active member serving as a deacon, Sunday school teacher, adult superintendent, choir member and director. He lived most of his life in the Ringgold community. He owned and operated Neal?s Grocery on 58 East for twelve years; worked as a farm manager for Ringgold Dairy Farm for six years; worked for Wimmer & Wimmer John Deere as a salesman and assistant manager for eighteen years. He was a charter member of the Ringgold Jaycees who presented him with the Service to Mankind Award. He was a charter member of the Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department where he was its first fire chief when the department was organized in 1958. He actively served as a fireman and later served on the Board of Directors for a total of forty-four years of service. He was elected to serve on the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors for sixteen years, representing the Dan River District from 1971-1987 as Chairman and Vice-Chairman. He served twelve years on the Board of Directors of the West Piedmont Planning District Commission and for sixteen years on the Board of Directors of Danville Regional Medical Center. He was a member and past president of the Piedmont Sertoma Club who honored him as a recipient of the Service to Mankind Award. He received numerous other civic awards. He was a member of American Legion Post 325. Calvin enjoyed meeting people and showed his great love for them by his many acts of helpful service, generosity, and Christian witness. We wish to thank his special caregivers, Lucille Duggins and David Terrell, who have faithfully and lovingly served him for many years. Funeral services will be conducted by the Reverend Carl Burger and the Reverend John Groff at Ringgold Baptist Church on Wednesday, July 25, at 2:00 p.m. Interment will be at Highland Burial Park with military honors conducted by American Legion Dan River Post #1097. The family will receive friends at the church one and a half hours prior to the funeral service and other times at the residence. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Ringgold Volunteer Fire Department, P. O. Box 10, Ringgold, Virginia 24586, or Ringgold Baptist Church, P. O. Box 100, Ringgold, Virginia 24586. Wrenn-Yeatts North Main Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

A. Neal

November 12, 1930 - July 22, 2012