Neal Gunn

1943 - 2017

Lee O'Neal Gunn
1943-2017
Neal Gunn, 74, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on December 20, 2017. After successfully winning his battle with lung cancer the year prior, Neal continued to endure the side effects of the treatments afterwards, eventually losing his long and arduous fight.
Neal is survived by his wife Vonda Gunn; ex-wife Bonnie Wright Gunn; daughter Ingrid Gunn-Otero and her husband Richard Otero; step daughter Alyssa Galyean and granddaughter Harper Hodges; niece Tennille Yates; nephew Greg Poole, niece Elizabeth McBride, niece Darrian Ellison, nephew Dustin Ellison, nephew Devin Seitz in addition to many other loving nieces, nephews, aunts, cousins and extended family spread out across the country.
Born in Alexandria, Louisiana November 16, 1943 to Herman O'Neal Gunn and Thelma Grantham Gunn, Neal is preceded in death by both his parents, his brother, Bailey Keith Gunn and his beloved grandmothers affectionately known as Tinkerbell and Momma Gunn. Neal grew up in Monroe, Louisiana where he excelled in sports and was considered a home-town sports hero at the acclaimed Neville High School in football, basketball and baseball. Neal was named All American and went on to play college football for both Louisiana State University and University of Louisiana Monroe.
Neal applied that same determination and tenacity he had in sports to his professional career, exceeding even his own expectations in business and to life in general. Neal began his illustrious career of 42+ years at the Monroe Civic Center in Monroe, LA., which ultimately led him to manage a number of major facilities including Lakeland, FL, the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans and eventually to work for the Houston Sports Association and Astrodome beginning in 1983, marketing and operating the famed dome, home stadium for the Houston Astros. It was during his time with the HSA that he co-founded Leisure Management Corporation, a private venue management firm that operated sports and entertainment venues worldwide and was eventually sold to SMG.
After an expansive career of facility management, marketing and promotion, Neal transitioned as Senior Vice President of Venue Relations for ticketing giant Ticketmaster. After an impressive 15-year run, Neal retired from Ticketmaster in 2010 and formed his own consulting corporation, Neal Gunn Enterprises. Neal is described as a "legend," a "pioneer within the industry". He shaped the careers and touched the lives of so many people, helping to shape the industry it is today.
Neal was a man of amazing generosity, a huge humble heart and a genuine love for people and for life. New Orleans, LA was his favorite place, his therapist as he would so lovingly refer to it. He loved to cook and was a Cajun food connoisseur. He loved life and due to his compassion, capacity to love and share his gift of knowledge and mentoring he had so much love in his life from close friends, colleagues and from his family. He truly exemplified a life well-lived.
To honor Neal's wishes there will not be a memorial service. The family will hold a private Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 27, 2018. In lieu of flowers, please make donations on his behalf to his favorite charity, Candlelighters, an organization supporting families of children with cancer (www.candle.org) or to a charity of your choice.