James Z. Neal, 90, of Harrisburg, died Friday, March 7, 2014, at Golden Living Center in Scottsbluff. His memorial service will be held at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, May 3, 2014, at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff with Pastor Ken Boston officiating. Inurnment will follow in the East Lawn Cemetery at Minatare with military honors provided by the Nebraska Army National Guard.
A memorial has been established to the Banner County Volunteer Fire Department. Tributes of sympathy may be left at www.dugankramer.com.
James was born May 2, 1923, in Hooker County, Nebraska to John L. and Mary (Herncal) Neal. He received his education in Mullen before entering the United States Army in March 1949. He served during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged on October 31, 1954, at Fort Carson, Colorado. He married Tomoko Toyoka on March 17, 1952, in Fukuoka, Japan. After his honorable discharge they lived in Cherry and Grant Counties where he was a ranch hand. Upon his retirement they moved to Harrisburg.
James was a member of the American Legion Post No.7 of Hyannis and the IOOF Lodge of Whitman.
Survivors include his wife, Tomoko; children, Tom (Nancy) Neal and Pete (Joyce) Neal all of Harrisburg and Robert Neal of Alliance; sisters, Regina Brewer of Cortez, Colorado and Ann Crouse and Dorothy Johnston both of Mullen; grandchildren, Toby (Sheila) Neal of Bayard, Tyler (Nicole) Neal of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Travis (Jessica) Neal of Vermillion, South Dakota, Erin Neal of Chadron, Kendra Marx of Harrisburg and Dustin (Jeanne) Marx of Alvin, Texas; and nine great grandchildren.
James was preceded in death by his parents; and three brothers, Joseph, Francis and Elois “Al” Neal.
