Nathan Guin Neal

  Nathan Guin Neal, known to everyone as "Nate the Great," was born on December 10, 2002, in Manassas, Virginia, and passed away on May 26, 2024, at the age of 21 years, while serving on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. 

  Visitation is scheduled for December 9, 2024, from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., at the Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel, Weatherford, Texas. Graveside service is planned for December 10, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., at the Bethesda Methodist Church Cemetery, in Garner, Texas. 

  Nate loved life, and those fortunate enough to be infected with his happiness found their lives changed and filled with joy. Nate had numerous dreams and accomplished many of them in his short life. He traveled the globe as a diplomat with his family, visiting 20-plus countries, experiencing different cultures that would shape his loving character, and bonding with thousands of new friends across the globe. Nate lived with his family in Bangladesh, India, Morocco, Japan, and Ghana. He was a true diplomat who loved learning and meeting new people. His hobbies included cooking, reading, playing guitar, snowboarding, and spending time with his brother, JR. 

  Nate completed two years at the University of North Texas but wanted more adventure. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps as a Cryptologic Language Analyst, completing six months of Chinese at the prestigious Defense Language Institute (DLI). May 13 was his first anniversary with the Corps. Nate loved being a Marine and being with his Marine brothers and sisters. On his passing, the Marines and friends sent hundreds of pictures to our family detailing his adventures and goofiness, showcasing why he was a joy to many worldwide. 

  Nate's greatest treasure and most significant accomplishment was his love for family and his brother JR, who was his confidant, closest friend, and ally—a staunch protector and buddy throughout life. JR and Nate were inseparable in life and shared experiences until his passing. Nate is directly survived by his parents, Clifton (Bubba) Neal and Sonja Neal, and his brother, Jon-Riley Neal, from Weatherford, Texas. 

  Nate's passion for family also overflowed to those less fortunate. He gravitated to the selfless cause of the Veterans Transition Center of California (VTC), which empowers veterans to move from crisis to self-sufficiency. He also looked to care for others before himself, which defined his loving character. VTC dedicated a conference room to Nate to promote mental health awareness for veterans. Nate's efforts have raised more than $10,000 in five months. To everyone who reads Nate's tribute and contributes to VTC in honor of Nate, our family thanks you for your love and friendship. It is comforting to know Nate has many friends, brothers, sisters, family, and colleagues from across the globe who enriched his life. As Nate always said to us, we love you, Nate, 18,500!

Donations to VTC in place of flowers: https://www.vtcofcalifornia.org/nathanneal