Gordon Neal

Gordon Neal passed away on Saturday, January 27, 2024 at his home surrounded by his wife, Cynthia, daughter, Christine, nephew Kevin, and long-time family friend, Janet after a courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. The family thanks Concho Hearts Hospice Service for their loving care of Gordon. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Heart of Texas Parkinson’s and Caregivers Support Group at www.hotpacs.com and the Baylor Softball Diamond Club at http://bearfoundation.baylorbears.com/diamond-club.html

Gordon was born in Dallas, Texas and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1963. He attended Southern Methodist University where he earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1969. He was President of his fraternity, Delta Chi. He worked as a co-op student at Bell Helicopter in Dynamics and VTOL groups. Gordon did graduate work at UTA in Business Administration 1972-1973. He worked at Bell Helicoptor after graduation then entered the business world in retail sporting goods where he quickly advanced to Regional Supervisor for Cullen & Boren Sporting Goods overseeing stores in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. He met his wife, Cynthia, in 1974 when she worked at Cullen & Boren in New Orleans. They were married on October 31, 1975. Gordon, Cynthia and daughter, Christine, became a family. They moved to Dallas in 1978 right after the Cowboys won the Super Bowl against the Denver Broncos. A job offer eventually brought them to Waco in July 1979 where he continued in retail sporting goods while managing an aerobic club and ice arena. He later opened Gymnastics Unlimited with family friend and business partner, Holly Nay Dunham. He later added Waco Cheer Unlimited. Gordon worked with many students and families who became life-long friends. He retired in January 2006 and became a full-time Baylor sports fan and supporter. Over the years, Gordon and Cindy enjoyed attending many games at home and on the road. They had the privilege of meeting and getting to know the coaches, players, and fans. Cindy and Christy supported and were proud of his many accomplishments.

Even though he stayed busy with his business, Gordon always made time to volunteer and serve on the boards of numerous organizations and events. He was a Lady Bear basketball season ticket holder and Tip Off Club member for 18 years and Tip Off Club President for 2 years, Lady Bear softball season ticket holder and Diamond Club member for 17 years and President of the Diamond Club for nine years, Volleyball season ticket holder and fan club member for 10 years. He received many Baylor Athletics Awards over the years including Skip Gohring Fan of the Year, NCAA & Baylor Volunteer of the Year, Bluebonnet Season Ticket Holder of the Year, and the Tori Birk Luke Bear Softball Award. He volunteered for many years as a BU and UIL Track Official and as the Baylor Athletic Alumni B Room ticket taker during home football games at both Floyd Casey Stadium and the new McLane Stadium. In 2022, he was nominated by former Baylor Softball player, Jordan Strickland-Oestreich, to receive the Baylor Alumni by Choice award and received this honorary designation in a presentation on June 11, 2022.

Gordon was also very involved with the Cottonwood Creek Golf Course, one of the top-ranked municipal courses in Texas. He started serving on the City of Waco’s Cottonwood Creek Advisory Board in 2008. He was the Cottonwood Creek Senior Golf League President and Board Member for many years. He was a Steering and Operations Member for the Starburst Jr. Golf Tournament including the year Jordan Spieth won the tournament. But his proudest personal moment at Cottonwood Creek was his first hole-in-one on hole #5 while playing with friends, Dick Ogden, J.D. Hatchet, and Terry Sutcliff on August 12, 1994. He achieved his second hole-in-one on hole #14 while playing with friend, Tommy Tompkins on May 18, 2005.

Gordon was preceded in death by his parents, John Thomas Neal and Bernice “Beanie” Gordon Neal, and his sister, Beverly Neal Howard. He leaves behind his beloved wife, Cindy; daughter, Christine Kuhn who he affectionately called “Chris”; cherished grandson, Wolfgang Garrett; sister-in-law, Donna Ancona; and much-loved nieces and nephews, Kevin, Mallory, Macey, Sheryl, Christina, Jerrad, and Kyle. We know his extended family of students, coaches, athletes, teammates, and BU fans will miss Gordon as much as we do. His memory will remain with us.

A special thank you to Bob Garrett, Wolfgang Garrett, Mallory Singleton-Lynn, Kevin Singleton, Kim Holton, Coach Glenn Moore, and Arlan Riddle for their contribution to Gordon’s memorial service and celebration of life.