Jon Kenley (Kenny) Neal passed away on Tuesday, June 23rd, 2026, in Abilene, Texas, after a long and courageous battle with cancer, with his wife of 58 years Linda and his two son’s Deric and Jordan by his side.

Memorial Services, officiated by Joe Frush and Matthew Broyles, will be held at First Baptist Church of Abilene on Monday, June 29th, 2026, at 2:00pm under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home. Family will greet guests in the sanctuary following the service.

In Junction, Texas, a Memorial Reception will be held at First Methodist Church Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, from 2:00 to 4:00pm, with remarks from long-time family friend, Charles Hagood, beginning at 2:30pm.

Kenny was born on February 19th, 1946, in Lubbock, Texas, to parents Bob and C. Maye Neal and was welcomed by a brother, Bobby. The family lived in Sundown, Texas, where Bob worked in the oilfields until they moved to Junction on the Neal Family Ranch.

Kenny graduated from Junction High School in 1964 where he was a gifted athlete. He was an Eagle Scout and grew up in the Methodist Church. Being in the country was his favorite past time; he loved to hunt, fish, and was always barefoot. He honestly thought his parents didn’t know he hid his shoes in a bush every morning before school, only to put them back on after getting off the bus and walking to their home on Holden Hollow.

Kenny attended Blinn Junior College and graduated from Texas Tech University in 1969 with a degree in Marketing. He worked for the Texas Department of Agriculture for 35 years in marketing and consumer service divisions covering large parts of West Texas.

On June 29th, 1968, he married Linda Jean Beck at First Baptist Church of Junction. Kenny and Linda lived in Abilene most of their marriage and had two sons, Deric Kristopher and Jordan Andrew. He coached both boys’ sports teams over the years and attended their events throughout their college careers. He was their biggest fan and adored spending time with them and his grandchildren on his ranch outside of Junction, The Patterson Place.

Kenny was a member of First Baptist Church of Abilene and was a gifted, self-taught artist, specializing in bronze sculpting. He never met a stranger and loved making connections.

Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, brother Bobby, in-laws Joe and Opal Beck, brother-in-law Joe L. Beck and great-great-nephew Ezekiel James Beck. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Linda; son Deric and wife Melanie of Rogers, Arkansas; son Jordan and wife Amanda of Abilene; four grandchildren, Scarlett (17), Gavin (16), and Sawyer (16) of Rogers and Adriana (9) of Abilene; step brother Clay and wife Pam Strange of Austin; sister-in-law Nancy Neal of Aledo; brother and sister-in-law Bob and Jean Beck of Levelland, Texas; and a number of nephews, nieces, other relatives, and friends.

He will be greatly missed as a beloved husband, father, gdaddy, and friend to many. But the family rejoices that he is at peace in the loving arms of our Savior.