James Henry “Jim” Neal

James Henry “Jim” Neal graced the world with his presence on January 1, 1942. It is probably the only birthday no one in the family ever forgets. Born in San Angelo, Texas to James A. “Buddy” Neal and Mary Elizabeth “Beth” McWhorter Neal. Immediately after birth, Jim began his ranching career on his parents’ ranch between Dryden (Judge Roy Bean’s jurisdiction) and Shefield, TX. He passed away peacefully on July 21, 2026, in Ada, OK.

Jim grew up in several ranching communities scattered across West Texas, graduating from high school in Van Horn, Texas where he and his brother, Sandy, were stand-out athletes and integral members of the community, with both earning scholarships to Sul Ross University in Alpine, TX. Jim completed one semester at Sul Ross before ending his educational endeavors, choosing to return to ranching in Sanderson, TX.

In 1973, Jim moved his family, including his young sons, Rob, Forrest, and Joe, to Pontotoc County, where he continued the family ranching legacy. With his ranch in Lula, Jim later expanded his operation to include two Purina feed stores, in both Stonewall and Ada. He continued to operate the ranch after his free labor grew-up and left the house, until 2003, when he retired.

In 1984, he married the love of his life, Shirley Ann McGehee. They spent the last 42 years laughing, dancing, and building a large circle of friends, including the members of the Homebuilders Sunday School Class at First United Methodist Church. They enjoyed traveling around the world with Jim’s brother and sister-in-law, Sandy and Barbara Neal, and several cousins; and celebrating every minute spent with one another.

Jim served on the Rankin, TX school board at an early age. Later, in Oklahoma, Jim served for years as a board member for Oklahoma Farm Bureau, helping to influence Oklahoma’s agricultural future.

Jim is survived by his wife, Shirley Neal, of the home; sons James “Rob” Neal and wife Monica, Forrest Neal and wife Jeanie, all of Ada; son Michael “Joe” Neal and wife Maiko, of San Gabriel, CA; stepson Steve McGehee and wife Mydelyn of Nacogdoches, TX, Tammy Morgan of Park Hill, OK; grandchildren Tanner McGehee, Emily Bumpus, Brandon Morgan, Nicole Gray and husband Joe, Taylor Booth and husband Kody, Jessica Todd and husband Robert, Jordan Maroney and husband Dax, Maci Neal and husband Robert Riley; great-grandchildren Paisley, Piper, and Phinley Gray, Kix, Kolt, Klay, and Kye Booth, and Cooper Riley; a brother Sandy Neal and wife Barbara; cousin Clara Joe Huckaby and husband Jim, and a number of nieces, and nephews.

Rob, Forrest, and Joe want to extend a special thank you to granddaughter Niki Gray. Niki went above and beyond caring for her beloved “Pappa Jim”. She is appreciated more than she knows. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at Criswell Funeral Home, in Ada, at 2 pm.