Neal, Fred W.

Fred W. Neal, 92, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2012, at Living Center East. Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday at Cedar Memorial Westside Chapel, with services following at 1 p.m. Interment: Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, with military rites.

Fred was born Feb. 27, 1920, in Marion, Iowa, to Frederick and Dottie Neal. He was united in marriage to June Merritt on Dec. 31, 1948, at the home of her parents in Norway, Iowa.

Survivors include his wife, June of Cedar Rapids; his daughter, Pat (Dennis) Watkinson of Lone Tree; son, Greg Neal; son, Jeff (Dianna) Neal of Grand Island, Neb.; granddaughter, Kim (Travis) Swenson of Northglenn, Colo.; grandson, Turner Watkinson of Lone Tree; sister, Isadore Martin of Bettendorf; and two great-grandchildren.

Fred belonged to the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) for 32 months. He helped build state parks, Backbone and Palisades Kepler. He joined the Army in October 1941. He was assigned to Company K, 179th Infantry, 45th Division. In June 1943, he was stationed overseas and took part in the Sicilian, Naples, Foggia, Rome-Arno, Southern France and Rhineland campaigns with the Fifth Army as a member of a heavy machine gun company, firing and taking care of weapons. He suffered injuries to his left leg in a fall in the mountains near Salerno, and was hospitalized in Africa for some time following this incident. After rejoining his company he was wounded in action at Lanuvia, Italy in May 1944, which resulted in injuries to his right arm and a concussion. Shortly after being discharged from the hospital he was assigned to Headquarters Company of the Fifteenth Army group where his work was to drive officers. Many times he drove General Mark Clark and Col. Carl M. Gevers.

He was a bayonet expert and has the Combat Infantry Badge, the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense service ribbon as well as the European, African, Middle Easter theater ribbon, a Silver Battle Star representing five major battles, and four overseas service bars. He received an honorable discharge in July 1945. Fred was wounded a total of five times in combat.

He was employed at Blaus Wholesale Foods for several years, City of Cedar Rapids for 32 years and retired as maintenance superintendent from the Cedar Rapids Eastern Iowa Airport.

For almost 27 years he enjoyed being an assistant Scout Master for Troop 33 of Cedar Rapids. There were many campouts with the troop. His Army training helped him in teaching the boys knot tying skills and how to read a map and earn their merit badges. He loved to go fishing in Minnesota with his wife, who usually caught more fish than he did. You could find him at the kitchen table playing his numerous old country music CDs and playing solitaire. Those who knew him enjoyed his humor and life stories.

He was a loving husband and great father who enjoyed being with his family.

Memorials may be directed to the VFW Post 788 or The Salvation Army.

Online condolences may be sent to under obituaries.

Published Sept. 20, 2012 in The Gazette