Ernest LeRoy Neal, 71, of Denton passed away on February 13, 2022, in Denton.  He was born in Wilmington, Delaware to Emery LeRoy and Dorothy Lucille (Russell) Neal.  He was raised in Kansas with three siblings, and met his wife Pamela through working with her Dad.  They eventually married in 1975 in Kansas City but moved shortly thereafter to Wyoming.  It was in Wyoming where they had their first child, Andrea.

After two years, they moved to Texas to raise a family.  They settled in Round Rock, and a couple years later Kimberly was born.  Life in Round Rock was busy but good.  Ernie and his wife Pam made a great team.  Ernie was a family man who believed in the importance of investing in family and others.  He often could be found on the softball field or basketball court coaching his girls.  Countless hours were spent volunteering his time to teach his daughters and others the value of hard work and of having integrity.  When he wasn't attending his daughters' sporting events, piano recitals, church functions, and school performances, Ernie enjoyed the outdoors with his family.  Camping, water skiing, and boating were his favorite things to do.  You could usually find him at a campsite swinging back and forth in a hammock.  He was always happiest surrounded by his loved-ones.

Ernie worked in aviation for nearly 50 years.  In Texas, he started at Castleberry Instruments, where a co-worker shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with him, and his life was forever changed.  He eventually went on to own his own business, Austin Avionics, Inc. for 13 years, where he worked as a team with his wife and other fantastic individuals to provide high quality avionics services at fair prices.  He had the unique opportunity to work on his favorite NASCAR driver's airplane, which was very special to him.  Just before 9/11, Ernie sold his business and moved to Salado to work for another avionics company, and after several years he and his wife relocated to the Denton area.

Ernie was a kind-hearted Christian man who was always willing to help.  He was a good listener, was very patient, and loved his family well.  He enjoyed spending time with all his grandchildren and was proud of each of them for their own individual strengths, achievements, and personalities. He was a great husband, a fantastic father of two, and a superb grandfather to ten grandchildren, and his loss will be deeply felt for years to come.  Ernie taught his family faith and family first.  He ran his race well, and now resides in Heaven.  Well done, good and faithful servant.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela Neal, daughters Andrea Lindahl and her husband Andrew of Plano, and Kimberly Owens of Denton, sister Dorothy Traylor and brother Robert Neal, and his ten grandchildren, Makayla, Hailey, Audrey, Samuel, Katherine, Brandon, Ava, Kiley, Caroline, and Laura.  The family will receive friends on Saturday, February 19, 2022, in the Chapel of DeBerry Funeral Directors from 10-11 AM.  A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11:00 AM following the visitation.