Neal Robert Shirk
June 29, 1966 to September 28, 2009
With deepest sympathy, please keep Neal's family in your thoughts and prayers.

He is survived by his loving parents, Alan and Roberta Shirk of Palmdale, brothers, Mark A. Shirk of Monterey, Calif., Greg Shirk of Acton, sister, Stacie Bates of Acton, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, cousins and close friends. Neal passed away Sept. 28, 2009 in Imperial Valley, Calif. in a tragic truck accident. He grew up in Palmdale and later served in the US Army and was stationed in So. Korea. After his discharge he returned to So. Korea to live and worked for a Disney sponsored school teaching art to children. After two years he returned to Calif. Neal loved being an artist. He drew and painted since he was a small child and became a certified commercial artist for 19 years. He honed his artistic abilities at Watterson College of Commercial Art. After starting his own log and advertising business, Neal worked for Harvin Artist where he became one of the premier caricature artists for Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios and later placed in the top five of a national caricature competition held by NBC. As creator of Street Weasels, Neal spent much of his time doing freelance work for various advertising and commercial companies. Because of our economic times, he returned the last three months to truck driving where he had some past experience.

To know Neal was to love him. He will be missed very much. Funeral Mass was held at Fr. Serra Parish on Monday October 19, 2009 followed by graveside services at Desert Lawn Memorial Park.