Services for Neal Jay Beasley, 85, of Ada are 10:00 a.m. Thursday at the First United Methodist Church, Revs. Brian Matthews and Bob Langston will officiate. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery.
Neal Jay Beasley was born in Wellington, MO, in 1931, and passed from this life on August 19, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer. He and his parents, Marvin Jay Beasley and Lillie McSpadden Beasley, along with his brothers and sisters moved to Fitzhugh, Oklahoma when he was just 2 years old. He attended Fitzhugh schools, graduated from Horace Mann High School and attended East Central State College. He served his country in the Army National Guard for 3 years and received an honorable discharge.
Neal married the love of his life, Patsy Ruth Neal, in 1950 at Vanoss and they recently celebrated their 67th anniversary. The first years of their married life he was a lineman in Wyoming and for the refinery in Cyril, OK. In 1958 he moved his family to California to work with his brother, Homer, and became a journeyman electrician. They returned to Oklahoma in 1962 and started his business in Stratford, Beasley Electric, which he and Patsy operated until 1988. He later retired and they moved to Ada.
Neal loved his Lord and his church, First United Methodist, and was very active in its services and his Fellowship Sunday School Class. The Diamond K Kiwanis was very dear to his heart and this highlight of his summers was driving the train in the park and interacting with all the kids. He served as Chapter president and also was the area Lt. Governor.
He and Patsy were active for several years in the Hereford Whirlers Square Dancers, traveling to put on exhibitions to promote square dance. He also loved attending the Prime Timers events and served as Present several years.
Neal was a world traveler and he and Patsy loved to go places with many friends, especially to their favorite place on earth, Maui. But most of all Neal loved to spend time with his family and loved being ‘Papa Neal’ to every young child he met.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Wesley, Homer and Hoyle, his sisters Lois and Lanell, and his son Jerry Lynn.
He is survived by his wife, Patsy, daughter, Elaine McKnight and husband Bruce, granddaughters, Cheryl McCortney and husband, Bart, and Loren Gaddis and husband Brad, and grandson Jay Beasley and wife Julie. He has three great-grandchildren who were his great loves: Ryan and Kate McCortney and Brynn Beasley. Also his two sisters, Audry Burnett, and Glynda Sanders and husband,AG, his brother, Stanley and wife George Ann and a special sister-in-law, Lavida Berry, also his many nieces and nephews.
Pall bearers will be Bruce McKnight, Bart and Ryan McCortney, Brad Gaddis, Jay Beasley and Bob Marks. Honorary bearers will be L.T. Williams and the Fellowship Sunday School Class. Memorials may be sent to Diamond K Kiwanas for train maintenance, 14197 CR 1573, Ada, OK 74820, or the First United Methodist Church, PO Box 566, Ada, OK.
Criswell Funeral Home, Ada.
