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James Neal Obituary
Born November 6, 1922, he was a native of Columbia. He graduated for Columbia High School. He worked with Juke Boxes with Les Griffin Music in Jackson, Shreveport, La. and New Orleans. He began his radio career in Columbia with WCSU. He came to Jackson in 1947 to Radio Station WSLI. The only job opening was the morning radio time slot. He became famous as the Radio Personality "Farmer Jim Neal" and his feist dog on the morning Radio Show which lasted 49 years. He appeared on WJTV Channel 12 for 12 years with his band and doing TV commercials. He graduated from the Jackson School of Law with a LLB Degree, passed the bar exam and was admitted to the Mississippi Bar to practice law in 1952. His law practice was minimal because of demands from his radio and TV programs. Farmer Jim and his feist dog was the subject of Mississippi's Public TV's "Mississippi Roads" multiple times. He was elected to the Mississippi House of Representatives in 1960 and served until 1976. In April 2007 the 6th annual Farmer Jim Neal Golf Tournament will be held at the Whisper Lake Country Club. All proceeds from this and past events go to the Friends of Mississippi State Hospital. He was preceded in death by his son Kevin Patrick Neal in 1996.
Survivors include his wife, Anna Rose Neal of Clinton; his daughter, Janna Neal Bradley of Hattiesburg; his son, James H. Neal, Jr. of Austin, Texas; four grandchildren, Anna Lauren Walden, Austin Peeples, Brad Neal, and Anna Kruger; four great-grandchildren, Adam Neal, Jacob Neal, Savanna Walden and Ava Rose Walden.
Memorials may be made to the Mississippi Kidney Foundation, 3000 Old Canton Road, Jackson, MS 39216.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for James Neal
Royce Roberts
November 12, 2006
Farmer Jim was a great man.Not another one like him.Our family looked forward to listing to him when we were eating breakfast.Our Deapest Sympathy Mrs. Neal, children & Other Family Members. 'Roberts Family'
Royce Roberts
November 12, 2006
Farmer Jim was a great man.Not another one like him.Our family looked forward to listing to him when we were eating breakfast.Our Deapest Sympathy Mrs. Neal, children & Other Family Members.
Royce Roberts
November 12, 2006
Farmer Jim was a great man.Not another one like him.Our family looked forward to listing to him when we were eating breakfast.Our Deapest Sympathy Mrs. Neal, children & Other Family Members. Roberts Family Pass Christian
Roberts
November 12, 2006
Farmer Jim was a great man. Not another one like him.Our family looked forward to listing to him at the breakfast table. Mrs.Neal,Children & Other Family members May God Be with you always.Roberts,Bennett,Mulligan,& Shaw.
Lynn Hagerman
November 7, 2006
Sending our condolences to all the family. Our family connection goes way back to the days at Alta Woods Pres. Church. We have fond memories of Jim.
David and Lynn Hagerman
Billy Brooks
November 7, 2006
May The Lord Bless Him and Keep Him - Amen.
I enjoyed listening to him on the radio and playing golf with him at celebrity golf tournaments.
John Pirie
November 3, 2006
I fondly remember listening to Farmer Jim Neal growing up in Jackson. He was fun to listen to.
Paula Smith
November 3, 2006
I'm another Mississippian who grew up listening to Farmer Jim and his feist dog... He was beloved by all and will be sorely missed.
Patsey & Cecil Bowers
November 2, 2006
Anne, we were so sorry to hear about Jim. We will be remembering you and your family in our prayers.
Al McCoy
November 2, 2006
Mrs. Neal, Janna, and Jimbo:
I am saddened to hear of your loss. I was fortunate to have spent some time with your warm, hospitable family when Janna and I were attending Hinds Jr. College. You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
Brenda
November 2, 2006
I will never forget Farmer Jim Neal. I grew up listening to him on
the radio and watching him on t.v.
He was a great man and loved by many.There will never be another.
My prayers will be with your family
during this loss.
Mary Floyd Pollard
November 2, 2006
We are very sorry for the the death of Farmer Jim. My Father appeared on the radio and TV shows with Farmer Jim in Jackson, MS. My Dad has great memories of a great man. May God Bless you all during this time.
Hugh & Libby Gerald
November 2, 2006
As we were growing up breakfast just was not breakfast without Farmer Jim, fiest dog,pet parade and the good humor on the radio each morning.Sure going to miss him.
Bill and Jane Pollock
November 2, 2006
Anne,Jimbo and Janna: We were so sorry to hear about Jim. It brought back memories of what a wonderful neighborhood we had, all the kids riding bikes, playing baseball, etc. We were fortunate to bring up our children then,our Lee Ann and Pat included. God Bless to all of you. I know all of you will miss him.
Steve Searcy
November 2, 2006
Like many of us I to grew up listing to Farmer Jim and it led to my career in radio. GOD Bless and our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jay Phillips
November 2, 2006
I was sorry to hear of Farmer Jim's passing this morning. I had the priviledge of working with Farmer Jim Neal at WSLI in the late 70's. May he rest in peace.
Marion Gray, Sr.
November 2, 2006
Thank you "Miss Ann" for sharing with the world such a great man. Farmer Jim was my idol and one to whom I turned to each morning for enlightenment and encouragement. Yes, "Feist Dog" was real to me and, I loved him.
A long time "Farmer Jim" Fan
November 2, 2006
I, like many others, grew up listening to "Farmer Jim" as a small child at my grandmother's house. His warmth and kindness always came through when doing "Pet Parade". My memories are fond. He will be missed. God bless.
Rachel Marquez
November 2, 2006
I moved to the Jackson area in 1969. There was never a morning that I didn't listen to Farmer Jim while getting ready for work. He was the best. I considered "Fiest Dog" to be real and will always remember the "smell of a wet dog" on rainy mornings. My prayers are with your family. There will never be another like him.
Patsy Thompson
November 2, 2006
I too grew up listening to Farmer Jim. He will greatly be missed. My prayers are with you.
Doug Warren
November 2, 2006
I join many in expressing the fact that Jim Neal was just part of our family because of his morning broadcasts. He exemplified what true ledgendary broadcasters are supposed to be. Those of us who worked in broadcasting in Jackson looked upon him as the "standard"
toward which we all strived. He has
truly left his mark in our hearts,
and will always be remembered with
respect. May God comfort each of you. Thank you for sharing Jim with
so many of us over the years.
Fred Horne
November 2, 2006
"Thank you Farmer Jim", I remember listening to your radio show every morning while delivering the C-L.
ouida glover
November 2, 2006
Farmer JIm Neal--who could ever forget him and his wonderful dog?? i can remember lisiting to him in the morning getting the children off to school. that was one thing i missed when we moved to Texas-- i could not hear him in the morning. our prayers are with the family. He will be greatly missed. ouida glover vidor,texas
Shirkey Bennett
November 2, 2006
Janna, I am so sorry to here of your fathers death. he was well liked and loved. God be with him.
Love you
Carol Terry
November 2, 2006
I too, grew up listening to Farmer Jim. My parents always had their radio tuned to WSLI. Hearing him in the morning was a sign that "all was right with the world". I didn't know what or who Feist dog was - I thought he was saying Spice Dog!
I'm sorry we've lost Farmer Jim but I've enjoyed thinking about him again.
November 2, 2006
Farmer Jim was a part of my childhood and most of my adult life. I will never forget seeing him at Augusta, GA one year at the Masters golf tournament. He was such a friendly man. I spoke to him, "Hello, Farmer Jim". He replied and told me what a beautiful place he thought it was. We have lost a true Southern Gentleman today. Good-bye Farmer Jim. Charlie P in Byram, MS.
Martha (Porch) Huggart
November 2, 2006
I will always remember "Farmer Jim" as a warm, funny gentleman from Alta Woods Presbyterian Church. He and his family were faithful to the Lord and the church. I will also remember listening to him every morning on my way to school - I loved Feist Dog. I think about Farmer Jim and his family often - especially Janna - and would like the family to know you will be in my prayers that God will hold you very close during this time. May He guard you and guide you in the way you should go and give you a peace that will carry you through such a hard time.
Jean Mullican
November 2, 2006
I was a devoted fan of Farmer Jim
for many years. I really miss him.
I don't believe there could ever be anyone to take his place.
My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. He was truly a great person.
Robert Jones
November 2, 2006
Thank you, "Farmer Jim" for starting each morning with giggles and laughs...helped to set the tempo of my day.
We love you and will miss you.
Betty
November 2, 2006
What wonderful childhood memories Farmer Jim Neal has left in our hearts. I look back at the most wonderful times of my life remembering the family gathering around the radio to hear about the
fiest dog and pet parade. My first
pet actually came from the lost found and to give away pets. What
a special person and friend to everyone we have lost. Thanks for
sharing Farmer Jim with us all.
God bless your family during this time.
FAYE LANDRUM
November 2, 2006
I just wanted to say that I grew up lisening to Farmer Jim Neal. I loved him he was my favorite D.J. I had the privilege of meeting him twice. Th wife and children will be in my prayers every day GOD BLESS, FAYE LANDRUN
Robin (Brinkley), Mike, Chris & Scott Collins
November 2, 2006
Mrs Neal, Janna, and Jimbo,
Mom called me last night to tell me of your loss. I am so sorry. The thought of your whole family brings back such fond childhood memories. My family's thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. With love,
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