The Reverend Doctor John Pendleton Neal passed away on October 31st 2024, in Salem, Oregon, at the age of 84. His memorial service will be held at John Knox Presbyterian Church, in Keizer, Oregon, on Saturday, January 18th, at 2 pm.

John was the son of Richard King Neal and Dorothy Neal. He was born in Seattle, Washington on April 2nd, 1940. John and Elizabeth Hunt were married in Seattle in 1964 and enjoyed 60 happy years of marriage.

John was a graduate of Queen Anne High School. He received his BA from the University of Washington, his M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and his D.Min. from San Anselmo Theological Seminary. The Reverend Dr. John, Rev. John, Dr. John, Pastor John or simply John (Dad, Papa, Papa John, Uncle John) was beloved by many. John sought to share Christ’s love and care to all he encountered during his 60 year ministry in Tacoma, Raymond and Vashon Island in Washington and Salem, Eugene and Keizer in Oregon.

John loved to play tennis with friends and family. He was an active and vocal member of his local communities. In later life he became an avid fly fisherman, casting his line countless times along the Kalama, Stillaguamish and Santiam Rivers, to name a few. John also enjoyed cooking, gardening, photography and reading. John is survived by his loving wife Elizabeth Neal, his two children Rebecca Neal Richardson (James) and Brian Baker Neal (Marie), his four grandchildren Ben and Katie Richardson, Jenna and Chara Neal, his sister Tricia Ohashi and his brother Ken Neal.

John led a full life filled with love. He had a positive impact on the lives of so many, always sharing his belief that God is Love and that Love surrounds and supports all of us all of the time. May his memory be a blessing. May we love each other as well as he loved us all.

April 2, 1940 — October 31, 2024