Neal passed away at 11am Wednesday morning September 16th, 2020. Craig is very sad to loose a dear friend. They have been friends since 1984- for over 36 years. They had lots of fun together hunting, snowmobiling, boating and doing guy things together. Neal had cancer. He died at 59. He gave it a good fight. Laura his second wife called Craig in the spring to let us know he was not doing well and was going to stop his chemotherapy- when I saw him he did not look good- I didn’t think he would make it through the summer. Craig visited him almost weekly to help comfort him in his latter months of life. Laura asked Craig to speak at the funeral. She wasn’t sure when it was going to be and would let us know. We waited to here back from her on the plan and time for his funeral. Craig was just looking at the obituaries late last night at about 11:30 and saw his funeral was in the morning. His viewing was last night. Laura did not let us know. Luckily Craig was reading the obituaries last night or we would have missed his funeral. We got up early 5am to drive down to attend the viewing prior to the funeral and Craig is on the program speaking with Neal’s brother Evan also speaking. They are the only two speakers. So it is a good thing we found out last night. I’m waiting in the Chapel while Craig visits with his friends and family. It is awkward for me they are a different group of people- since Neal remarried Laura. I have been good friends with his 1st wife Denna. Laura is not a church person at all. Very anti-Mormon. Odd as his wife- she is is wearing short-shorts and a fancy blouse. It is the oddest funeral apparel. Our friendship has been strained since he married her in about 2000- Craig and Neal have not done as much together since their marriage. He has tried but Laura made it very difficult. She has had a bad drinking problem and not fun to hang out with her drunk. So we quit doing much with them. Craig and Neal have stayed closed friends still over the years. Today is a time for him to pay tribute and honor to one of his best friends.
Craig gave a lovely tribute to his best friend Neal
The old truck that Neal loved and powered up the engine on it. Craig and Neal had great times together. They transported his casket in the truck to the gravesite. He did such a great job speaking. Many loved the stories he shared about Neal and their adventures together. Neal was a selfless friend to all, very caring and helped many people in his life.
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