Darren Mark Neal

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University of Arizona

Darren Neal Obituary

Our beloved Lt. Cmdr. Darren Mark Neal of Phoenix, Arizona, departed this world on October 10 at the age of 61. He will be remembered as a faithful and loving husband and a father who cherished his children dearly he worked diligently to give them a better life than what he experienced growing up. He was born and raised in Phoenix, AZ, attended Paradise Valley High School and graduated from University of Arizona. He completed his D.O. degree from Des Moines University in 1987 and finished his internal medicine training at Maricopa County Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ in 1991. He later joined the U.S. Navy where he spent four years as a naval flight surgeon at Barbers Point Naval Air Base in Oahu, Hawaii. His experience while in the navy was the great highlight of his life. He loved imparting to others his recollections of flying jets and helos, rescue missions and travels overseas. In his decades as a physician and later in his private practice, he touched the lives of many patients and developed close and enduring relationships with them; his patients loved him and most would sum up by saying "He was a great guy". He leaves behind his wife of 28 years, Karen, and their two adult children, Samantha and Michael. God bless him and keep him, and may he rest in peace for all eternity. He will be in our hearts forever more.

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Published by Daily Breeze on Jan. 15, 2022.

Memories and Condolences
for Darren Neal

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12 Entries

Kris Magony

March 3, 2025

He was my pain management dr and he was awesome. We grew to have quite a friendly dr/patient relationship over the years. He would sit and chat with me all the time, we would discuss all types of conversations from his navy days to my or his family obligations. It´s been a few years and I often still think of him, he will definitely be missed. Condolences to his family he was one of the good ones!

Beckett

May 23, 2024

Dr Neal and I grew to be friends while having a patient-doctor relationship. He was warm and loving, I had just lost my dad so I needed someone like him. After bouncing around opiates and getting knee/ foot surgeries for years he helped me get clean. While I have seen many friends pass in this epidemic, he treated my injuries and problems with medication with complete compassion. After being with Dr. Neal for two years I was on the track I am on now, not touching an opiate for almost 5 years now. He improved my life tremendously after seeing the path I was headed down. Also helping me with any other inconvenience with my health. I loved talking to him about writing a book, specifically remembering a story when he was dropped with all of his gear from a helicopter but landed in the hot tub of a cruise ship. He was still able to recover the patient and get them back to the helicopter to safety. Truly nice man and someone who cared for his patients, who he looked at more as people than a paycheck. I will miss talking to him, and I miss him now. Hope all is well with you, Karen, and the kids, sending all my love <3. Rest in Peace, Dr. Neal, thank you for your service in the Navy and as an amazing Doctor. I hope to see you again somewhere.
Thank you for everything.

Kim Gray

April 2, 2024

I was going though old text messages and saw my last conversation with Dr. Neal. He was no longer in practice, but still made sure he went over my labs and assured me I was doing okay. I was only his patient for a short time and he left a lasting impression. He was one of the best doctors I've ever had. He was very caring and personable. I wanted to see how he was doing and I am saddened to just now learn of his passing. He was a wonderful doctor and a great person. My condolences to his family.

Bill Fauver

November 16, 2023

To Dr. Neal's Family,

I feel awful that I am just finding out about this now. Dr. Neal was, to put it simply, the best Dr. I have ever had. I never felt rushed. I always felt informed. He tried to get to know me and allowed me to get to know him. Our discussions were often about the country's troubled politics and we were on opposite sides of the spectrum, but we talk we talked civilly, each respecting the reasoned views of the other. He was so proud of his son, his daughter and his wife and their accomplishments. When he retired I was sad and adrift in my medical care. I always kept my eyes open as I was out and about, though, hoping to see him and have one more great conversation.

My thoughts, even at this late date, are with you all. Dr. Neal was really one of a kind and is missed!

CAPT Stephen Hugh MacDonald, DO, MPH

July 28, 2023

I was one of Darren's Flight Surgeon classmates at NAS Pensacola in 1991-1992. He was such a wonderful guy to hang out with and a very intelligent doctor. The world lost a fantastic person for sure.

Michelle Calvit

January 30, 2023

Karen , Just now finding out about Darren´s passing. This is Michelle Calvit . My husband Barry was a flight surgeon with Darren in Hawaii. We attended your beautiful wedding. Can´t believe this much time has passed. It seems like yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers are with you , Michael and Samantha. ..

Joseph & Susanne

December 3, 2022

Dr. Neal was a wonderful caring person. We miss him and think of him often. We looked forward to our office visits. He was one of a kind and had a great personality.

Artin Ohannesian

Planted Trees

Christopher James

July 22, 2022

Dr Neal saved my life. If not for his guidance, support and care (over the years I spent as a patient) I would be without the beautiful wife, young daughter and thriving business I have today. This man spent the time and effort to save me from myself and for that I´ll be forever grateful.

Eric

April 13, 2022

I will never forget when we met, at the lowest point in my life. You saved me Doctor, truly, and there is no way I can ever pay back the second chance at a new life except to live it fully in honor of you, the reason I am here today. I will cherish the memories of our meet, the circumstances, and always the stories we always liked telling and hearing, as I never could join the Navy, you were always such a role model to me, in terms of my dream of being a naval flight surgeon. This past holiday season I thought about you often as well as your family, whom also must be feel devastated. Til next time Doctor Neal, until then, rest and be at peace.

Dave Nicholson

January 27, 2022

Dr. Neil, you are the best! You´re a great doctor, but a better person! I actually looked forward to my visits with you. You will be greatly missed! Sending love to you and your family!

Neil Sweeney

January 17, 2022

Dr. Neal was a GREAT doctor and human being! He would spend the time to care about every patient with all of the details. You could alway tell he cared and made sure you understood the what, where and why it matters. I would forward to see him and also say hi to Dr. O. I was saddened to see his early retirement. I truly miss him =(. I Wish all of God´s blessings to Karen and the kids! Always remember the Great times with him!

Showing 1 - 12 of 12 results