Roger H. Neal

Roger H. Neal, 78, of North Platte, passed away suddenly on Nov. 10, 2023, at his home. Roger was born on March 17, 1945, in North Platte, the second son of Harold and Maxine (Lancaster) Neal. Roger graduated from McPherson County High School in Tryon in 1963 and attended two years at Chadron State College. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Jan. 25, 1966, and served for four years during the Vietnam War, honorably discharged on Dec. 31, 1969, as a 3rd Class Petty Officer. Roger was married on March 17, 1978, in North Platte to Judith R. Gerken. Together they expanded their family from Roger's son from a previous marriage to another son and daughter from Judith's previous marriage. Roger spent most of his career with the Union Pacific railroad as a pipefitter and retired in 2011 after 30 years of service. The first thing Roger purchased after his discharge from the Navy was a saddle. Thus began his great love of roping and riding horses and spending time in the great outdoors. He was a member of the following roping and rodeo organizations: Tryon Roping Club, Lake Maloney Roping Club, NSRA and Mid-States Rodeo and USTRA. He was also a member of the North Platte Eagles and Moose clubs. Roger loved watching his kids rodeo, roping with his family and especially watching his grandchildren and great-grandchildren's many activities. Roger and Judy raised cocker spaniels for over 10 years. Following retirement, Roger enjoyed camping and fishing with his best friends, the Kallhoff's and Odean's. He also enjoyed keeping busy and tinkering around his garage and keeping his yard nice. Roger was an avid Husker football fan and never turned down a chance to meet friends and family out for supper and go to the horseraces on occasion. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Maxine Neal; and infant twin brothers. Those left to cherish Roger's memory are his wife of 45 years, Judy; daughter, Tina (Lynn) Pyzer of North Platte; sons, Tim (Amy) Ham of Hershey and Pat Neal of Texas; grandchildren, McKenzie Dowse and Tel (Danneeka) Pyzer; great-grandchildren, Hayden, Hudson, Hadlynn, Heaton and Huckley; his brother, Larry (Sharon) Neal of North Platte; nephews, Scott (Robyn) Neal and Tim Neal; special friends, Pat and Diane Kallhoff and Kim and Ellen Odean; and many other special relatives and friends. Memorials are suggested to the Callahan Cancer Center or to the family for future designation. Online condolences may be shared at carpentermemorial.com. Memorial service is at 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel with Pastor Shanon Williams officiating. Burial with military honors follows at 3 p.m. at Fort McPherson National Cemetery, near Maxwell. Visitation and viewing will be from 1-7 p.m., with the family receiving friends 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with arrangements.