J. David Neal

James David Neal Jr., known as Dave to most, left this earthly realm on Saturday, August 23rd surrounded by close friends and family. He was 52 years old.

Dave was born and raised in Arkansas. He and his best friend Travis were the sole members of their Commercial Art vocational program and often skipped class to buy records. Soon after graduating high school, Dave moved up to Pennsylvania to be closer to his sister Denise. He worked in a factory for a while, which inspired him to go to college so he would not have to spend the rest of his life working in factories. He eventually earned a master's degree in Sociology. He spent his working years helping kids with disabilities, specializing in trauma care and autism. He eventually became a program coordinator for Touchstone Solutions in Meadville, PA.

He was a man of the arts, and as such, he loved to share all forms of art with the people in his life. He enjoyed acting and participating in improv with the Meadville Community Theatre. He was well-respected for his dedication, talent, and comedic timing. He was a poet and also dabbled in screenplays - one of which was turned into a short film called "Puppet" that he co-directed with his friend Adam. He loved all kinds of music and built up an excellent record collection over the years. We would give you a list of his favorite bands, but we would need about 10 more pages to cover them all. He had an endless encyclopedia of movie history in his head. He loved to show you a movie you hadn't seen, but he would get so excited and tell you the whole plot (twists and all) before he hit play. It was one of his trademark moves.

He spent the last several years of his life with his wonderful partner Christa, during which they built a beautiful, warm home together. He spent his days cleaning old vinyl records and selling them online, devouring an enormous collection of philosophical books, and being present with his friends and family. He raised two brilliant sons - Travis and Miles Neal - who have grown up to share his love for music and films.

Despite many rough spots in his life, he was an eternal optimist with a side of sarcasm and cynicism. It gave him a peculiar sense of humor. He had a goofy, explosive, and contagious laugh that will be missed by all who had the joy of hearing it.

He is survived by his sons, Travis Neal and Miles Neal (Springboro, PA); his sister, Denise Jones (Meadville, PA); his partner, Christa Fox (Meadville, PA); his niece, Jayme Brunson (Lebanon, TN); and many cousins.

He is preceded in death by his father, James David Neal, and his mother, Betty Cotton.

Friends and family are welcome to join us for a celebration of life at Stainbrook Park on Monday, September 1st from 2PM to 4PM. If you would like to contribute to a cause Dave cared deeply about, please make a donation in his name to the Meadville Community Theatre.

Please sign Dave's online guestbook at www.hatheway-tedesco.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hatheway-Tedesco Funeral Home and Crematory, 614 Baldwin St., Meadville, PA 16335.