Frederick Charles Neal

He once stated that his motivation for joining the Navy was a desire to "see the world," and, in many respects, the world came to him. Although he was born nearly two years before the United States entered World War II in 1941, those familiar with his stories might have assumed he served during the conflict. His profound interest in history and remarkable memory for events from an early age contributed to a broad and enduring worldview. This perspective, characterized by a commitment to understanding global history and its people, remained with him throughout his life.

On May 31, 1961, Fred enlisted in the United States Navy. He was stationed at several bases, including San Diego, California; Honolulu, Hawaii; Seattle, Washington; Rhode Island; and Adak Island near the western extent of Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Fred served aboard the USS Hoel, a Charles F. Adams-class guided missile destroyer, as part of the Pacific Fleet. His service included deployments to Japan, Singapore, waters off Vietnam, and the Philippines-his most favored location.

Throughout his naval career, Fred witnessed significant historical events. He observed the initial stages of the United States' increased involvement in Vietnam while in the Philippines and was at sea when he learned about and passed vessels involved in the Gulf of Tonkin incident. Additionally, while stationed in San Diego, California, his ship received deployment orders to Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis-a moment he recalled as the only time he questioned his survival the following day.

A particularly profound experience occurred during his visit to Hiroshima, Japan, where he stood at the site where the atomic bomb was dropped by the Enola Gay on August 6, 1945-an event that contributed to the conclusion of World War II. Fred was awarded the National American Spirit Honor Medal in recognition of his service. He was honorably discharged from active duty on May 27, 1965, and from reserve duty on May 30, 1967, attaining the final rank of Yeoman Petty Officer, Second Class.

After his departure from the Navy in 1965, he began a new chapter in Gary, Indiana, where he established his family, launched his career as a salesman, and became an engaged member of both the community and local political affairs. In that same year, he was hired as one of the first African American salesmen at Calumet Breweries in Hammond, Indiana. His sales career continued at North Coast Distributing Company (now known as Indiana Beverage), where he remained until his retirement in 2008. Demonstrating a strong work ethic, he resumed employment just three weeks after retiring by joining C&M Liquors as a part-time salesclerk, a position he held for seven years before retiring permanently in 2015.

In 1967, Fred was actively involved in the first and subsequent campaigns of Richard Hatcher, the first African American Mayor of Gary, Indiana and one of two African Americans first elected to a U.S. city with more than 100,000 people.

In 1972, he was a volunteer driver and worker at the National Black Political Convention, a three-day event in Gary, Indiana, which is recognized as one of the most important events in Black politics since the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s.

Held from March 10 to March 12, 1972, in the gymnasium of Gary's West Side High School, African American politicians, civil rights leaders and delegates considered new strategies and direction of Black political goals and priorities following the passage of the Civil Rights Act (1964) and the Voting Rights Act (1965), and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr in 1968. Leaders such as Rev. Jesse Jackson, Barbara Jordon, Coretta Scott King, Carl Stokes, Julian Bond, Louis Farrakhan, and Bobby Seal attended the event. Muhammad Ali and entertainers such as James Brown, Harry Belafonte, and Dick Gregory were also there. When informed that a photo of Mayor Richard Hatcher standing before a screen in his office waiting for the delegate vote count was on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Fred said "Well, I am in that photo, too. I am sitting behind the screen counting the ballots!"

A longtime resident of Miller Beach, he participated in many civic organizations such as the Jaycees and the Black and Jewish Coalition. He served for many years as president of the City of Gary Planning Commission and as president of the City of Gary Board of Zoning Appeal. He also served as a precinct inspector in Miller Beach during election time. But nothing made him prouder than to be the coach of the King and Meyer Biddy Basketball team with the Lakefront League for three years.

He also served for many years as president of the City of Gary Planning Commission and as president of the City of Gary Zoning Board. As a member of the Society for the Restoration of the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium and Octave Chanute's Place in History, He was also actively involved with the restoration of the Gary Bathing Beach Aquatorium. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this 1921 neo-classical style Bath House is one of the crowning jewels of Gary's Marquette Park. It is also the home of the Octave Chanute and Tuskegee Airman flight museum.

Frederick Charles Neal was born in Akron, Ohio on January 15, 1940. His father, Charles Neal worked for WAKR radio and his mother, Jettie Neal, worked as a housekeeper and was also a home maker. He graduated from North High School in Akron, Ohio, where he was a star athlete who lettered in 3 sports: football, basketball, and track. He also played percussion instruments. After high school, he worked his first job as a concrete-hopper operator at his uncle's business, Grady W. Driskill Paving Company in Akron, Ohio from May 1958 to May 1961. He also attended Kent State University followed by attendance to Akron University for a period of two years. He was a member of the Original Church of God in Akron, Ohio, and accepted Christ at an early age. He joined St. Timothy Community Church, in Gary, Indiana 2007 and was an avid and regular attendee of its Bible Study group.

After a valiant 30-plus year fight, Fred succumbed to prostate cancer on Friday, July 18, 2025. He leaves behind his wife of 36 years Atty. Rosalind Parr Neal; two daughters (from a previous marriage to Philippa Bennett Neal) Pamela Ann Neal of Washington, D.C. and Carol Elaine Neal of Las Vegas, Nevada; nephew/son Vernon Brown of Gary, Indiana; a brother, Vernon (Celeste) Neal (The Villages, Florida); a sister, Christy Grant (Akron, Ohio); Sisters-In-Law Natalie Stewart (Gary, Indiana) and Denise (LeAndre) Bennett (Fredericksburg VA); Nieces and Nephews, Maurice Grant, Monica Davis, Bryron Neal, Damon Bennett, Rodney Stewart, Michael Merton, Brandon Stewart, Catherine Merton Stillwagon, LeAndre Bennett, Jr., special cousin, Darlene (Walter) Moss (Canton, Ohio) and many other cousins, family and friends.

Fred placed a significant value on legacy. In his later years, he became an enthusiastic family genealogist, meticulously researching both his own and his wife's family history. He devoted considerable effort to documenting his family lineage in the United States and was proud of the fact that his life, his family and ancestors was very much a part of the rich tapestry of American history. It is his lasting legacy that future generations will benefit from the knowledge and perspective of his efforts and what he was able to bring to the world.