Neal was born in 1923 and the family moved to Wichita Falls when he was a small child.
Neal was involved with livestock throughout his life and had a genuine love for horses. As a youngster he excised and cared for polo horses. He also broke and trained horses in the Wichita Falls area. His skills in riding led him to the rodeo arena.
About 1940, he began entering area rodeos, riding bareback horses, saddle broncs, and bulls. This launched a very successful career, spanning approximately 12 years. He won many championships in all three of the riding events at all the major rodeos in Texas, and many in Oklahoma. He helped organize and was a charter member of the “Turtles Cowboys Association”.
In 1947, he joined the RCA, and began riding in professional rodeos. Due to health problems, he was forced to resign after a short time.
He was the first man to ride the notorious bull #15, in the Goat Mayo stock, and also a paint bareback horse, Roby, who was later named bucking horse of the year on the professional rodeo circuit.
Neal was highly respected, and well known for always lending a helping hand to young or new cowboys, a friend to all. His rodeo friends were an important part of his successful and illustrious rodeo life.
His love and respect for Rodeo carried over throughout the years after he retired from the arena. He was very active in helping acquire land, and build facilities for the Wichita County Mounted Patrol arena, and promotion of a professional rodeo annually. This enables the sport of Rodeo to continue and be enjoyed by generations to come.
