Mr. Howard E. Neal

Renowned musician, father, grandfather, and great-grand- father, Howard Eugene Neal was born on March 18, 1942, in Alton, Illinois to the late Joseph Williams and Mable (Neal) Meeks, Howard built a remarkable life as a strong, positive, hard-working, ambitious, and God-fearing man. Affectionately known as “Gene” by his family, Howard grew up surrounded by music. His mother, Mable, and sis- ter, Donna, were gifted vocalists, while his brothers, Jerry and Stanley, excelled as accomplished pianists. Howard’s journey of faith began early, profoundly shaped by the un- wavering guidance of his grandmother, Letha Everette, the family matriarch. Her steadfast influence nurtured a strong spiritual foundation within the family, who were dedicated members of St. John Missionary Baptist Church. In later years, Howard joined St. James Baptist Church, where he shared his musical talents as a drummer for the choir and remained an active and cherished member of the congre- gation. Howard was a proud father to three children, his sons, Darrin Neal of Kansas City, Missouri, Kelton (Shannon) Neal of Kansas City, Missouri and daughter, Olivia Neal of Florissant, Missouri. He also embraced a fatherly role in the lives of his extended family, including Eric and Kim Perry and Corey Neal, exemplifying his love and guidance beyond his immediate family. His unwavering dedication to family and community was evident in his interactions with everyone he met. “Sit down and let me talk to you” was a familiar phrase to many young people in the Alton community who had the privilege of crossing paths with him. Howard generously shared his wisdom about life and his deep passion for music, inspiring countless aspiring musicians. Through his band leadership, performing, producing, writing, and recording, he left an indelible mark on the music industry in Alton, Illinois. A man of many firsts, Howard was the first of his siblings to join the military, serving in Alaska for three years. He was also the first in his immediate family to attend college, enrolling at Tennessee State University. Howard broke bar- riers as the first African American hired at Marathon Oil Pipeline in Wood River, Illinois. He was also a trailblazer in the Alton community, building and operating his own in-house recording studio, where he collaborated with re- gional favorites such as The Montclairs, Phil Perry, Jimmie Green, Carletta Sue, Pete and Cheez, Karlton Clanton, and many more. His work gained international acclaim, with several productions achieving popularity in the UK and a mention in Billboard magazine. One of his most cherished achievements was the release of a compilation of his work by The Numero Group record label in Chicago, Illinois, titled “Eccentric Soul: The Shoestring Label.” Howard Eugene Neal passed away peacefully on January 1, 2025, at the age of 82. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lavern (Slack) Neal; parents; sister, Donna (Meeks) Lafayette and two brothers, Gerald Meeks and John Meeks Jr. Howard is survived by his brother, Stanley Meeks of Ed- wardsville, IL; a sister, Joann Willams of South Carolina; three children; grandchildren, Miles, India, Kele, Joshua, and Drue; great-grandson, Jayce and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and dear friends. His memory will live on through his music and the count- less lives he touched.

Mr. Howard E. Neal

March 18, 1942 - January 1, 2025