David Newton Neal

David Neal (90) of Tempe, Arizona passed away at home on January 6, 2025, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Christine and 4 of their children Terry (Luellen), Stuart (Michele), Kirk, Jeff (Evie); 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren his older sister Nelda, his brother Tommy and his younger sisters Dorothy, Juanita and Alice. He is preceded in death by his parents, his son David Hugh Neal who passed August 4, 2021, his grandson Jacob who passed August 23, 1995 and great grandson Noah, April 4, 2021.

David was born on January 3, 1935, to Newton and Louise Neal in St. Johns, Arizona. He was the second child of six. His childhood was filled with work and play. His dad owned a ranch in New Mexico and they raised polled Hereford cattle. He enjoyed playing with his younger brother and sisters on that ranch. He learned how to tend cattle and ride horses and work the ranch with his dad. He went to school in St. Johns Arizona where they lived. They always had a large number of chickens from which they raised eggs and sold them to the store and others in town. He normally worked at least two other jobs while he was going to school and playing sports. He lettered in basketball, football and baseball. He was in choir and loved to sing. He graduated high school in 1953 and then decided to go to ASU to study chemistry and physics. He received a masters in both chemistry and physics and he then went on to receive his doctorate in chemistry in 1969.

He met his sweetheart Christine Cowley and they started to date when she was 15 in high school. They got engaged after high school while he was going to ASU and she was at NAU. He was called on a mission for 2 ½ years to Montevideo Uruguay for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints. When he got back, they wasted no time and were married in the Mesa Arizona Temple two weeks after he got back from his mission on October 11, 1957. Christine graduated from NAU with a teaching degree and worked to help put him through school. When David graduated from school, he got a job teaching at Alhambra High School then he applied to teach at Mesa Community College which was opening a new campus in Mesa. He was hired and taught at MCC from 1966 till about 2002. He loved teaching and he was loved by his students and coworkers as well. He always had time for his students when they were having trouble with chemistry. He made chemistry easy for all of his students. He didn’t think anyone should ever get an F as long as they put effort in, he was willing to help them understand chemistry.

David always loved learning, in fact he once said that he easily could have been a professional student. He always was reading and studying something. He was a lifelong member of The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints not only did he hold many callings, but he served faithfully in those callings. He was a scout master for over 20 years during which all five of his boys received their eagle award. His family was honored as the scout family of the year in 1984. He was an avid genealogist. He spent the latter part of his years working on genealogy and doing temple work for those who have passed on. He loved the gospel. He was a disciple of Jesus Christ and taught his children to love God and to work hard. This was his greatest achievement.

He loved being a granddad. His grandchildren loved him and loved to be taken in the old Chevy delivery coupe to feed the horses, hunt scorpions, swing or ride bikes and get his bear hugs. He always took time for is family when they needed him. He will be missed.

A Viewing will be held Friday, January 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM with a Funeral Service at 2:00 PM at The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, 10 S. 12 Oaks Boulevard, Chandler, AZ 85226.