Manuel Girdner Neale
(February 26, 1964 - August 1, 2011)

Manuel Girdner Neale, son of Charles and Joy Bryan (Girdner) Neale, was born on February 26, 1964 in Stilwell, Oklahoma and passed from this life on Monday, August 1, 2011 in Stilwell, Oklahoma at the age of 47 years, 5 months and 4 days.

Manuel was a spontaneous and loveable man, who was also highly competitive and loved life to its fullest. He was a Zion Jet and a Maryetta Raider during grade school. He attended Stilwell High School and graduated from Lenapah High School in 1983.

He participated in all school sports excelling in football in which he held the title of an All State Football Player.

After graduating, Manuel pursued his rodeo career. Steer wrestling was his ultimate all time thrill. He loved the cowboy way of life and building lifelong friendships with people throughout the nation, encountering numerous journeys good and bad on the rodeo trail.

After a rodeo injury, he helped his father and brother train steer wrestling horses which led to world champion stock.

Manuel had a strong love for his family and friends. You could see his determination, whether it would be racing cars, riding horses, fighting chickens or loving women. The family motto is “We specialize against all odds!”

He was what every young man wished he could be and every old man wished he had been.

Preceding him in death was his mother: Joy Bryan (Girdner) Neale.

Survivors include his father: Charles and wife Melissa of Stilwell, OK, sisters: Willinda Howell and husband William of Lenapah, OK, Charlene Neale and husband Marvin Brown of Bunch, OK, brother: Bedford Neale and Mary Jane Hammer of Stilwell, children: Heath Neale and wife Candice, Chelsey Moses, Gayla Neale, Megan Kabrick, Alston Phillips, Taylor Belles and Chloe Callaway, step brother: Michael Workman, step sister: Stephanie Liles and husband John. He had a special relationship with his niece and nephews: Alainna, Parker, Cash and Charles Howell. He is also survived by grandchildren: Lexi, Jaci, Kaea, Abbie, Abree and many more other friends and relatives, including aunt and uncle: Chili and Nancy Girdner.

Funeral services were held at 2:00 pm on Sunday, August 7, 2011 at New Life Church in Stilwell with Audie Vaughan, G.V.Gulager, Jim White, Dale Dandridge, Max Ford and Parker Howell officiating. Interment followed at the Neale Family Cemetery under the direction of Roberts/Reed-Culver Funeral Home.