Neal Arrant, 50, of Amarillo died Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003.

Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Memory Gardens Cemetery with Dr. Charles Jones, pastor of Second Baptist Church, officiating. Arrangements are by Blackburn-Shaw Funeral Directors Memorial Chapel, Fifth Avenue and Pierce Street.

Mr. Arrant was born in Lubbock and had lived in Amarillo most of his life. He was a 1972 graduate of Tascosa High School. Mr. Arrant, along with his wife, Debi, owned and operated Neal Arrant Body Shop for 22 years.

He was a member of Elks Lodge No. 923 and a past member of Southwest Amarillo Optimist Club, where he served on the board of directors. He was a past member of Make-A-Wish Foundation of the Texas Plains, past wish coordinator and past member of the board of directors.

Mr. Arrant was always trying to better the lives of others and would sacrifice almost anything to do so. Those who wish to carry on his memory should do so through compassion, kindness and giving. He married Debi Henry in 1977 in Amarillo.

He was preceded in death by his father, James H. Arrant on Aug. 21, 2000.

Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Aimee Coleman of Amarillo; a son, Kyle Arrant of Amarillo; his mother, Martha Arrant of Amarillo; and two brothers, Bryan Arrant of Artesia, N.M., and Gayland Arrant of Bedford.

The family suggests memorials be to Elks National Foundation.

Amarillo Globe-News, Sept. 24, 2003