Tracy Lee Neal of Caldwell, Kansas, was a caring and loving father, son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend. He left this world unexpectedly on Friday, December 3, 2021 at the young age of 48.
Tracy was born May 31, 1973 in Henderson, Kentucky, to Kurtis Lee and Deborah June (Murphy) Neal. Tracy was the first born and immediately became the focus of his mom and dad’s world, where he still remains. Tracy became a pro traveler as a child, following his father’s coaching career. Attending the games as a child was his normal. His mother would bundle him up, and off to daddy’s games they would go. The traveling continued throughout his childhood with several moves that included: Jonesboro, Arkansas; Caldwell, Kansas; Alva, Woodward, Choctaw, Edmond, Perkins, and finally Blackwell, Oklahoma where Tracy graduated in 1991.
Tracy’s involvement in sports started at a young age. He was involved in youth soccer, basketball, football, and TAC/AAU track. As a fifth grader, he qualified for Nationals in New York State. He was not able to attend that meet because his grandpa was concerned that his plane MIGHT be hi-jacked so he paid him money not to go. Tracy was an outstanding high school athlete. He was a four-year starter and letterman in football, all four which were coached by his dad. He was also a two-year letterman in wrestling and basketball, state qualifier in the shot put and discus three years, State champion in shot put, Dual state champion in wrestling, All Star by class in football and All State in track. After high school, Tracy attended Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva on a full athletic scholarship where he was a freshman starter. He also threw the shot put and discus for NWOSU’s track team, which won a conference championship that year for which Tracy earned a ring. Tracy’s athletic adventures continued on to include coaching semi-pro football for the Oklahoma Rampage and the Oklahoma Rhinos. None of these compared to the extreme joy he felt coaching his son’s teams.
Tracy took extreme pride in his son Trenton. Tracy was lucky enough to be able to coach most of Trenton’s sports teams growing up, including his soccer, football, basketball, and baseball teams. Tracy and Trenton spent many hours watching movies and sporting events on tv together. Tracy was overjoyed when Trenton came back to Caldwell to be the head coach for the boys basketball team and could not wait to see him in this role.
Tracy loved holidays! Christmas was his time to shine. Tracy loved picking out and buying presents for his son and all of his nieces and nephew. He would urge them all to send him wish lists by peppering their phones with witty poems, sarcastic texts, or hysterical and somewhat inappropriate suggestions. Tracy and his mom were shopping buddies starting at a young age. They would spend hours buying the perfect gifts and then Tracy would be the designated wrapper, especially for the gifts tagged from Dad to Mom.
Tracy loved his family deeply and is survived by his son, Trenton Lee Neal, and his parents, Kurt and Debbie Neal all of Caldwell, Kansas, his sister Tobi Wood and her husband Dewayne of Blackwell, his brother Travis and his wife Christie of Enid, four nieces, Tori of Blackwell, Ty, Ally, and Reese of Enid, one nephew, Trevor of Blackwell, as well as many other aunts, uncles, and cousins. Tracy was preceded in death by his grandparents Bob and Eva Neal of Caldwell, Kansas and Jesse and Mary Jo Murphy of Greenville, Kentucky.
Tracy was loved by many friends and family and will forever be remembered with a smile.
Tracy’s family would like to express their gratitude for all of the love and support shown to us during this time.
Memorial services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, December 10, 2021 at the Central Christian Church in Caldwell with Dr. Dan Price officiating.
Memorials may be made to Schaeffer Mortuary to assist with funeral expenses and sent in care of the mortuary.
