Homer Lee "Tommy" Neel

Homer L. Neel, 86, a longtime resident of Lake Jackson, TX, passed away at his home with his family at his side on Saturday, November 21, 2015. He was born in De Walt, Texas, on October 11, 1929, to Homer Thomas Neel and Lennie Billington Neel.


Homer grew up in Clute, Velasco and Galveston. After completing the eighth grade, he lied about his age and enlisted in the U. S. Navy in World War II at the ripe old age of 14. He served on the fight deck of the USS Enterprise the most decorated ship in WWII at the height of the Kamikaze attacks in 1944-45. By the time he was 15 ½, he had earned five major battle stars and a presidential unit citation. Prior to the end of the war, his mother wrote a letter to the Navy exposing his young age and he was promptly discharged. Undaunted, he lied about his age again and finished out the war in the Merchant Marines.


After the war, he returned briefly to high school, but soon quit and went to work at Dow Chemical. He also soon met the beautiful love of his life, Mary Elizabeth Willy. They embarked on their amazing 67 year marriage on April 30, 1948. To better support his young bride, Homer again enlisted in the military. This time he enlisted legally in the U.S. Army and served in Okinawa. He returned home just weeks before the start of the Korean War and resumed what would now be a 30+ year career with Dow Chemical.


Homer was an avid fisherman, surfer and outdoorsman. As one of the original surfers at Surfside Beach, he remained an easily identifiable fixture well into his 60's with bald head and large belly. His '66 white El Camino customized with dual sharks painted on the front fenders by his son Robert was also a fixture. If he wasn't fishing at the jetties, he was jumping off them on his surfboard. His time in the Navy and Merchant Marines made him fearless of the water. His favorite time to surf was during hurricanes when the waves were largest. He was also frequently teased that he must think the small craft warning flags were the snapper flags because he would regularly head out fishing into the Gulf in his Chris Craft while they were flying.


Homer was , above all , a loving husband and father. Somewhat cheated of his childhood by the Great Depression and the war, he made up for it by always remaining a big kid and practical joker. He loved the Three Stooges. He was tough and stern when he needed to be, but otherwise the dart gun battles, fireworks , in and out of the house , and bicycle hockey games in the front yard were legendary.


He taught his six children many things, including how to fix just about anything. He also encouraged them all to get the education he never had. He set an example of kindness and generosity by always helping anyone in need. He would always stop and help anyone broken down on the side of the road. His acts of kindness led to some of his longest friendships.


Homer was preceded in death by both of his parents; brother, Billy Ray Neel; and son, Tommy Lee Neel, MD.


He is survived by his wife, Mary; sons, Robert and his wife, Marcia Neel, of Vista, California, Richard and his wife, Marisa Neel, of Bulverde, Texas, Michael and his wife, Rhonda Neel, of Friendswood, Texas; daughter, Susan and her husband , Ronnie Haydel, of St. Amant., Louisiana; and son, Duane and his wife, Susan Neel, of College Station, Texas; eighteen grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

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