Donnie Gene Neal, age 61, of Gainesville passed away on Friday, May 24, 2024. He passed peacefully and was surrounded by friends and family. Donnie was born on July 10, 1962, in Berryville, Arkansas. He graduated from Sooner High School in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1980, where he played football and was on the wrestling team. Shortly after graduating, he moved with a friend to Gainesville, Texas and started working at Southland Paint Company. He met the love of his life, Donna, at his new job. Donnie and Donna were married February 14, 1985; it was a long standing joke that they chose to get married on Valentine’s Day so that Donnie would never forget an anniversary. The couple would later have daughter, Jennifer, in December 1985 and son, Jacob, in December 1992. Donnie would later commute to Carrollton to work at Glidden Paint, now PPG, where he had been employed for the last 37 years as a quality control manager. Donnie was a family man and husband first; he also enjoyed camping, fishing, playing coed softball, being the local BBQ pitmaster, and watching any sporting event that his grandkids were participating in. Donnie’s life revolved around his family, and he was extremely proud of his 5 grandkids; he spent many weekends at soccer games and tournaments, taekwondo meets and basketball games. One of Donnie’s many accomplishments were his influence in the community through sports. He spent many seasons umpiring for the Cooke County softball, baseball and soccer associations. He coached his daughter’s softball and soccer teams as well as his son’s baseball team. He loved coaching so much that he volunteered to coach a Lindsay girls’ softball team that was in need of a coach; he ended up with two teams that season and they played each other for the championship, a highlight of his coaching career. He was extremely proud of all the kids that he coached and followed their growth through adulthood. He was a father figure to many of the kids he coached as well as his children’s friends. He was always transporting kids to and from tournaments; he never wanted a kid to miss out if their parents couldn’t attend. He was always giving; he had a servant’s heart. Donnie was a beloved friend to many and a devoted husband and father.
He is preceded in death by his parents Doy Neal and Reva Smith, stepfather Dennis Smith, brothers Danny and Ronnie Neal, sister Connie Neal and mother and father-in-law George and Charlene Kiser.
Donnie is survived by his lifelong love and wife of 39 years, Donna; 2 children, Jennifer and Jacob; son in law, Jon, 5 grandchildren, Audrina, Grayson, Brixton, Dean and Auria; the Holder and Kiser families as well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 4pm on Friday, June 7, 2024, at Meador Funeral Home on 1204 E California St, Gainesville, Texas
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Meador Funeral Home of Gainesville.
My deepest condolences to the Neal family. Donnie was a good man and a great co-worker. He will be missed by his PPG family. You are all in my prayers.
Eddie Aguirre
Deepest Condolences to the Neal Family.
RIP.
-Alyssa Ruhl (PPG)
Donnie was a great person/Man. He and I worked together at different plants. Me at Oakwood him at Carrollton. We have worked on many projects together over the last 37 years. He loved his Sooners as I love my Bulldawgs. We were both looking forward to them joining the SEC this year. We had many discussions over the years. He had so much knowledge of ALL things related to paint. The cool thing about Donnie and I, he was from Gainesville Tx. and I am from Gainesville Ga. My deepest condolences to the Neal family. He will be missed by many folks across several states. Great resource and great man. Many folks looked up to Donnie and when he spoke everyone listened closely. I won’t say goodbye, but I will say we will see each other again. Rest easy my friend!
My condolences to the family. Donnie was a great boss, co-worker, but even better friend in the years I have collaborated with him. He taught me how important family was. Donnie has touched so many lives over the years with his kindness and friendships. You will be missed, but never forgotten. Until we meet again, goodbye my friend.
Vance Emerson
To the family and friends of Donnie, please accept my deepest sympathies. I had the privilege to know and work with Donnie since 2017 and have learned much from him about paint manufacturing/technology and enjoyed discussing many other topics including fishing and smoking meats. Donnie has made significant contributions to the Carrollton site under ICI, Akzo Nobel, and PPG over decades and impacted everyone with good humor and sharing his technical knowledge. I will always remember Donnie as a caring person, a man with a sharp wit who was easy to talk to, and a father/grandfather who loved his family.
I will always remember Donnie as the wonderful and kind boss who always tried to make me laugh and smile. My deepest condolences to the Neal family and I wish you moments of peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Donnie, I’m gonna miss seeing you smile from ear to ear when talking about your kids and grandkids. You’ll be able to keep an eye on them all the time now.
Your 37 years of experience in the paint industry is going to be hard to replace as well as your comradary.
Seems like ever since you and your family have gone through a lot but no more suffering for you.
To Donna,kids and grandkids as well as the rest of the Neal family and friends. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I will continue to keep you in my prayers. God bless.
PS . I’m going to miss some of the brisket in OU/Texas!
My deepest condolences to the Neal family. Donnie will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Many prayers for your family and friends
No words to say that can that leaves us nor can any words to take away the pain of a loved
Again many prayers