Neal Caraway

NEAL ALLEN CARAWAY

Marion

Neal Allen Caraway, 53, of Marion, passed away Sunday, Jan. 31, 2016, at his home. Visitation: 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Marion. Celebration of Life: 10:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 5, at Theatre Cedar Rapids, 102 Third 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. In 1982, he married Brenda Neve; they divorced in 2004. He met Darcy Hawkins Bemus in 2008 and they married April 23, 2010.

Neal worked with his father at 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. 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 always was 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 theater 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, Ariz., 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, Colo., 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 also was 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.

Please share a memory of Neal at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.