Cecil C. Neal

OREGON - Cecil C. Neal, age 92, of Oregon, passed away on Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Madison. He was born on September 2, 1932, in Horace, Kan., a son of Jesse and Bessie (Smith) Neal.

Cecil was raised in Hoisington, Kan., during the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. He entered the U.S. Navy right out of high school and served on the USS McCoy Reynolds during the Korean War. Cecil forged strong bonds with his Navy shipmates and managed to stay in contact with them throughout life and attend reunions together. After a brief period at home, he joined the U.S. Air Force. During this time, he served one tour at Tan Son Nhut Air Base in Vietnam. In total, he served 24 years in the military. He took immense pride in his service. After the military, Cecil went on to get his associate’s degree at MATC. He then worked for the United States Postal Service until he retired.

Cecil met Karen (Turnbull) Neal while he was stationed at Truax Field. They married on May 20, 1961, and they enjoyed 64 years of marriage. During his career, the family was stationed in four different states and two separate times in Germany.

Cecil was an avid sports fan who loved to cheer on the Badgers and Packers. He was best known for: his strong presence in the room with witty humor, engaging stories and old ditties; his supportive cheering at his grandchildren’s sporting and dance events; and always looking out for family and friends, making sure everyone was taken care of, supported and loved.

Cecil is survived by his wife, Karen Neal; son, Jay Neal; grandchildren, Cody (Brina Swanson) Lewandowski, Lara (Weston Mathews) Lewandowski and Alex (Gabby) Neal; and son-in-law, Jeff Lewandowski. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jesse and Bessie Neal; daughter, Jodi Lewandowski; daughter-in-law, Melanie Neal; and all eight of his siblings.

A memorial service will be held at Gunderson East Funeral and Cremation Care, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service on Saturday, August 23, 2025. Please join the family for a luncheon in the Capital Room at the EAST SIDE CLUB, 3735 Monona Drive, Madison, from 1 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday.
 

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Agrace Foundation (agrace.org/donate/donate-today), or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (tinyurl.com/4x7nfesr).

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson East
Funeral & Cremation Care
5203 Monona Drive
(608) 221-5420