Obituary
Leo Derrick (LD) Neal, 57, of Bonita Springs, passed away November 20, 2018, at Florida Hospital in Orlando, peacefully, surrounded by the women and family who loved him most in this world. Born June 21, 1961 in Fort Myers, Fl., he was the eldest son of Leo Neal Jr. and Ruth Ellen Presson.
LD graduated from Cypress Lake High School, and earned a Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Florida. He went on to earn his Professional Engineering license in the state of Florida. During the summers and after graduation LD worked for his uncle Dan’s company, Harper Brothers, where his love of dirt began. He then worked for Phillips and Jordan, Inc., and Mitchell and Stark Construction Co , Inc as a Project Manager and Vice-President. It wasn’t uncommon for his employees to leave a job site on Friday only to return on Monday and find a few changes: sometimes it was a piece of equipment in a lake or a truck stuck somewhere on the job site. He has walked many of miles through muck and mire to view his jobs or to fix a problem. When traveling, his driving skills would come into question if he was distracted by heavy equipment, roadway markings, the terrain and, naturally, dirt.
LD enjoyed fishing, golfing occasionally, and traveling with his family. His vacations consisted of driving nonstop to a destination and experiencing the local cuisine and attractions. His heart was for his children to experience more than he was able to at their age. He afforded them education, fun and unique adventures which have left them with memories of joy, laughter and knowledge.
If you knew LD, you learned he was a good man with a great heart and had very little sense of time. He was a company man, working to fulfill his assignments with their best interests at heart. He supported his employees, always grateful for their hard work and dedication. Family was the foundation of his life. He was there to lend a hand in times of trouble and believed you met your problems straight on and worked to find a solution. He instilled in his daughters to be more than they believed with each one possessing qualities he honored and admired. He was a great dad and a strong, supportive and loving husband.
Preceding him in death are his father Leo Neal Sr. and his daughter, Christina Elaine Neal. Surviving him is his wife Lynne Neal (nee Buff), and their four daughters: Jacquelyn, Stephanie, Alexandra and Rebecca Neal, his mother, Ruth Presson Neal, his brother, Lloyd (Cheryl) Neal and their two daughters Sarah and Rachel. Also surviving LD are his in-laws, Bill and Mary Buff, sister-in-law Karen (Chuck) Good, and their children Nichole (Mike) Cornell and Christopher (Erin) Good and their families; sister-in-law Kim (Chip) Smallwood, their daughters Morgan (Bryan) Smallwood-Yates, Lauren and Mariah Smallwood; brother-in-law Billy Buff, as well as numerous other family members and friends.
A celebration service is planned for Tuesday November 27, 2018 at McGregor Baptist Church 3750 Colonial Boulevard, Fort Myers Florida @ 1:00 pm
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association.
Baldwin Brothers Affordable Cremations, Fort Myers, assisted with arrangements.
Rob and Lori Hamilton