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Obituary for Neal Allen Caraway
Neal Allen Caraway, 53, of Marion passed away Sunday, January 31, 2016 at his home. Visitation: 4 – 8 p.m. Thursday, February 4, 2016 at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Celebration of Life: 10:30 a.m. Friday, February 5, 2016 at Theatre Cedar Rapids located at 102 3rd St. SE Cedar Rapids, IA 52401. Inurnment: Oakshade Cemetery, Marion.
Neal was born July 26, 1962 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to James and Nancy Caraway. Neal grew up in a large, loving family. He attended Washington High School in Cedar Rapids. After graduation he purchased and renovated his first home in Marion, Iowa. In 1982 he married Brenda Neve, they divorced in 2004. He met Darcy Hawkins Bemus in 2008 and they married on April 23, 2010.
Neal worked with his father in Caraway Construction from an early age, developing his passion for fine craftsmanship and perfection in every aspect of building. He also worked for Gene’s Volkswagen where his love of automobiles and particularly Volkswagens deepened. For many years he repaired and restored VWs for himself and others, becoming the regional expert on air-cooled engines and earning the name Dr. V Dub. He took his sideline to a new level and opened an automotive shop in Anamosa, Iowa. In 2001 he began using his construction expertise in his position as Code Compliance Official and Building Inspector for the City of Marion.
Strong, tireless and full of life, Neal was always giving of himself wholeheartedly. If someone had a need, he would go out of his way to figure out a way to fulfill it. Through the years he was a member of Bug Rats, a Springville City Council member, and a board member of Starlighters Theatre in Anamosa.
With his deep, resonant voice, Neal filled the bass line of the family choir. He discovered a love of theatre at the age of 40, playing many roles over the years, including the Cat in The Hat in Seussical; Detective Stone in City of Angels; Bob Wallace in White Christmas; and his favorite role, Smudge, in Forever Plaid. When not on stage, he combined his talents to build fantastic sets.
Neal loved anything to do with sun and water: boating, surfing, knee boarding and SCUBA diving. While away from the water he showed his devotion with his trademark Hawaiian shirts every Friday. He also enjoyed snow-skiing, racing, kick-boxing and working puzzles with his family.
Survivors include his wife, Darcy; children, Benjamin Caraway of Mesa, AZ and Alisabeth Von Presley of Cedar Rapids; stepchildren, Madison and Alyssa Bemus of Marion; his father, Jim Caraway of Marion; siblings, Julie (Philip) Linse of Littleton, CO, Jill (Dave) Asprey of Swisher, Wendy (Kent) Bailey of Fort Madison, Caralyn (Steve) Butler of DeWitt, and Nathan (Lisa) Caraway of Marion; and one grandchild, Tucker Caraway of Marion. Neal was also blessed with numerous loving aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Neal was preceded in death by his mother, Nancy Mae Caraway.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Washington High School Performing Arts.
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Tim Palmer
I was lucky. I met Neal when I moved to Bertram, IA in 4th grade. Neal was not only a classmate, but a childhood friend. Neal always had a smile on his face and would always stop to help another person in need. For those who attended the reunion gathering last summer at Parlor City, Neal was instantly the life of the party when he arrived with Darcy. But you wouldn't know of his illness except his hair was much shorter than usual. We could all learn from him. His celebration service was at Theatre Cedar Rapids. I had to walk a long way as the entire downtown area was void of parking spaces. Not a single seat left in the house. Neal made sure we laughed at his service and yes, we even sang the lyrics to Van Halen's "Jump" as performed by his beautiful daughter. Neal's wife Darcy (Hawkins-Class of 81) Caraway, is now one of us; hereby adopted to our class to continue sharing with us all the love and joy Neal shared with her in the too few years they had together. I left the celebration service with a deep yearning to BECOME A BETTER MAN. I can't think of a higher tribute to my friend and our classmate.
I'll finish with Neal's own words, read to us at his Celebration service:
"And so without further ado I say treasure each moment of your life, laugh as much as you can, love those round you, and God bless you. I’ll see ya later, and you don’t have to rush. *smile* " - Neal Caraway