Robert Neal
July 13, 1947 – September 20, 2016
ROBERT EARL NEAL SR. was born July 13, 1947 in Millington, Tennessee. He was the third of four children born to wonderful, loving parents, Will Neal and Corine Bolton Neal. His father past away when Robert was very young. Afterwards the family moved to San Diego, CA, where his mother met and united in marriage with. Phillip Anthony Leal, affectionately known as “Pops”. This union brought together the Neal and Leal children as one. Robert received his formal education through the San Diego Unified School District, graduating from Lincoln High School. On November 8, 1965, Robert united in marriage with his childhood sweetheart, Cora Williams. They resided in Los Angeles, California. Their union was blessed with five beautiful children, Robert Jr., Antoinette, Rubin, Michele and Titania. Robert always had a thing for nice cars, particularly, 1957 Chevys and Lincoln Town cars. He kept all his cars in tip-top shape and looking nice all the time. It was during this time that, he met a friend that who was called Tuna who had a Van club called the Van Masters in which Robert was asked to join. They traveled around to many Van and Car shows. His love for nice cars and driving them landed him a job as a parking lot attendant in downtown Los Angeles, CA, which was another high light in his life because he was fascinated with driving and being around nice cars; so he took pride in driving and parking cars. In 1974, after ten years in Los Angeles, Robert decided to move his family to San Diego, where, he began working for General Dynamics. He made many friends throughout his tenure with General Dynamics. After nearly eighteen years of exemplary service, Robert was forced into early retirement due to medical reasons. Robert, who loved to dress, was known for his style and his beautiful smile; plus, he had a very nice physique. Robert also loved to sing and dance. After watching his brothers sing so much and doing so well at it, he eventually picked up singing himself. Thereafter, he and his wife Cora and her twin sister Lora and his brothers Ernest, Billy, Anthony, Chrisfino, Timotio, and Rey started doing their impressions of the Temptations and many other singing groups from Motown. Robert did a mean impression of David Ruffin, especially singing “How I Wish it Would Rain.” He even started wearing his hair like David Ruffin. Robert also loved dogs. The German Shepherd and Doberman Pinschers were the dogs of his choice and he enjoyed training them. He enjoyed and loved, the Martial Arts, which he picked up from his brothers, Rey and Billy who was self-taught . You would have thought that he was taught by the Master, Bruce Lee himself. He was smooth and fast with his hands and feet and just as good with marital art weapons. After twelve years of marriage, Robert and Cora went their separate ways but remained best friends. They always loved one another and wanted what was best for their five children. Robert later met Leesa Rochelle Mize and was blessed with a daughter, Shalonda. Years later he met Turina Anderson and was blessed with daughter, Kiona. He loved his children and grandchildren unconditionally. During Robert ‘s illness, he glowed every time his brother Billy, his uncle Charlie Bolton and adopted brother Tony came to visit him. Billy stayed at his side the duration of twenty plus years. In November 2015, he received a wonderful surprised when his son, Robert Jr. and his wife, Deirdre, and daughter Aisha along with his sister, Antoinette drove eleven hundred miles from Portland, Oregon to San Diego to share love, prayers and songs. This was a very unforgettable and memorable occasion for Robert. He was preceded in death by his son, Rubin Dwayne Neal; his father, Will. Neal, Sr.; his mother, Corine Bolton Neal Leal; his Pops, Phillip Anthony Leal; brothers, Anthony P. Leal, Chrisfino D. Leal and Timotio S. Leal and his sister, Diane Marie Neal. On Tuesday, September 20, 2016, Robert Earl Neal Sr. closed his eyes and in his sleep welcomed his eternal life with Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He leaves to cherish his memory: His son Robert E. Neal, Jr. and his wife, Deirdre of Battle Ground, WA; daughters, Antoinette, Michele, and Titania Neal all of Vancouver, WA, Shalonda Neal of Phoenix, AZ and Kiona Neal of San Diego, CA; His brothers, Willie “Billy” J. Neal, Earnest Neal and Rey Leal and his wife, Cynthia of San Diego, CA; his former wife and longtime friends, Cora Lee Williams; adopted brother, Tony and family; nineteen grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family and many friends. Graveside Service was held Friday, October 14, 2016 at Mt. Hope Cemetery; Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.
