Jack Adair Neal, 86, a resident of Richmond, Texas, passed away on July 28, 2026 after a courageous battle with pulmonary fibrosis. He passed peacefully at home while praying with his family.

Jack was born on November 27, 1939, in Galveston, Texas, and spent most of his life in Dickinson. It was there that he met the love of his life, Nena Elizabeth Trombatore. Both were students at Dickinson High School, and their first outing together came when he was permitted to sit beside her during the Easter Vigil Mass at Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church. Several years later, they were married there on Thanksgiving Day in 1961 and shared 64 wonderful years together.

In 1962, Jack earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston, becoming the first member of his family to earn a college degree. His education opened the door to a distinguished career in accounting and finance and set an example that would inspire future generations of his family.

A devoted Catholic, Jack was a longtime parishioner of Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church and a proud 60-year member of the Knights of Columbus, achieving Fourth Degree status. During Hurricane Harvey, while serving as Grand Knight, Jack suffered the loss of his own home. Even so, he immediately led the Knights in transforming the Dickinson KC Hall into a refuge for the community, providing hot meals, clean clothes, and a welcoming place for those in need. Under his leadership, Father Roach Council 3217 received the Knights of Columbus International First Place Community Service Award after serving approximately 6,000 people.

Jack was equally devoted to the Dickinson community. He served multiple terms as an Alderman and City Councilman and was active in numerous civic organizations, including the Dickinson Lions Club, the Dickinson Historical Society, and the Dickinson Festival of Lights. He especially enjoyed serving as chairman of the “Jack Shack” and occasionally lending a helping hand to Santa Claus.

A Certified Public Accountant, Jack enjoyed a distinguished career in finance that began at Monsanto and later included Lockheed before joining Brochsteins Inc., an architectural woodwork company, where he served as Treasurer for more than 30 years until his retirement in 2002.

 

Jack was preceded in death by his parents, A.J. and Eula Mae Neal; his sisters, Elsie West and Gerri Rollins; and his niece and constant friend, Carolyn DeNina.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Nena; his daughter, Christi Dunn, and her husband, Bob, and their children, Nick Dunn and Emily Dunn; his daughter, Elizabeth Banowsky, and her husband, Bo; their daughter, Lauren Lacanlale, her husband, Gabe, and their daughter, Emma Sophia, affectionately known to Jack as “Starshine”; their daughter, Meagan Parker, her husband, Trevor, and their son, Bo Alan, whom Jack lovingly called “Sunshine”; and his son, Jack (Jay) Neal, Jr., and his wife, Shaelyn, and their children, Michaela, Jackson, John Riley, and Selah Neal.

More than anything, Jack loved his family. He believed that the greatest measure of a person was not what they accomplished, but how they treated others. Whether welcoming someone with a smile or offering a helping hand, he made others feel genuinely cared for. His faith guided his life, his service strengthened his community, and his kindness touched countless people.

It is fitting that his final moments were spent exactly as he lived—with his family, in prayer, and in the peace of God’s presence. While we will miss him every day, we find comfort in the legacy of faith, love, and service he leaves behind. His example will continue to live on in his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and in all those whose lives he touched.

Visitation will be held on Monday, August 3, 2026, from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., with the Rosary immediately following, at Crowder Funeral Home, 851 FM 517 Road West, Dickinson, Texas.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Shrine of the True Cross Catholic Church, 300 FM 517 Road East, Dickinson, Texas. A reception will follow in the parish multipurpose room. The funeral procession will depart the church at 1:00 p.m. for the graveside service at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home & Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to Mr. Steve Trigg for the loving care, compassion, and support he provided to Jack and Nena during Jack’s final days. His kindness and dedication were a tremendous blessing to our family, and we will always be thankful.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to True Cross Catholic School, 400 FM 517 Road East, Dickinson, TX 77539; Texas Children’s Hospital, 6621 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030; or the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516.