Denzil Duane McNeal (Class 57)

 

Denzil Duane McNeal, 87, peacefully passed away on October 30, 2026 at Solomon Valley Manor in Stockton, Kansas. 

He was born on March 15, 1939, to Dennis McNeal and Maurine (Hawkins) McNeal. He was the oldest of nine children and grew up on the family farm 13 miles north and east of Natoma, Kansas.

Denzil attended grade school in the Victor and Covert schools in Osborne County. He attended high school in Paradise, Kansas. While in high school he drove the school bus, well it wasn’t an actual bus, it was really an old jeep station wagon. It was said his school bus ride was the quietest of all the routes. The reason for that was his uncanny ability to tell a story that held the kids’ attention and left them hangin’ so they were always ready to hear the next chapter of the story after school. He also participated in basketball and baseball. Denzil graduated from high school in 1957. He went on to earn a degree in Education from Fort Hays State University, graduating from there in 1960.

His teaching career began in Alton, Kansas in the fall of 1960 and carried him to schools in Hill City, Natoma, and Stockton, Kansas. He mainly taught English and Journalism. He was the head wrestling coach and assistant basketball coach in Hill City for several years. His teaching career may have spanned 30 plus years but the impact he had on his students has lasted lifetimes. He always seemed to find the kid that had all the strikes against him/her and challenge them to be better than their circumstance through hard work and believing in themselves. Denzil also spent many years farming after school on the weekends and through the summers as well. When his teaching career ended, he served Rooks County as the Emergency Management Director for 13 years. In this position, Denzil was key in getting the 911 system updated and getting all of the county roads named to enhance emergency response times to the rural locations in the county.

Denzil retired from his service to the community in 2009. Some of his favorite pastimes were fishing, putting puzzles together, gardening and making his yard beautiful with all his favorite flowers. He enjoyed watching most any kind of sports competition on television. Football (Chiefs), basketball and baseball (Royals) were among his favorites. He especially enjoyed the Little League World Series.

He married his high school sweetheart, Angela J. Krob on December 28, 1958, and shared just shy of 60 blessed years with her at the time of her passing in 2018. He was a devoted husband and caring father to his children Teri, Dennis (John, DJ), Devin and LaDonna. He instilled a good work ethic and values by example and made clear his faith and belief in our Lord Jesus Christ. His favorite passage of scripture was found in Philippians 4:10-13 which says, “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned, in whatever situation, I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me”. He truly lived his life by this and in so doing touched so many lives. Not sure he really knew to what extent that really was, but it was big. He genuinely cared about others and was always willing to lend a hand and a listening ear and give such practical advice with a sprinkle of his wit and a twinkle in his eye.

Humor was a large part of Denzil’s personality. Dry as it was at times, you could always count on a good laugh or roll of the eyes at the jokes or riddles he came up with. In this humor he blessed each grandchild with a special nickname that matched their little personalities much to their dismay at times. Denzil would always incorporate a lot of wisdom into his humor so the lesson would stick. You might have had to chew on whatever it was that he said a little before you got the message but once you did you never forgot it.

If you knew Denzil, you knew he shot you straight and made no bones about his belief and values. He was never afraid to tell you about Jesus and share his own testimony. Once you were his friend, you were a friend for life.

Denzil is survived by his children, Teri McNeal of Hill City, Ks, Dennis (John, DJ) McNeal (Kathy) of Stockton, Ks, Devin McNeal of Ozark, MO and LaDonna Shetterly of Stockton; his siblings Jan Hedges of Hesston, Ks, Charles McNeal (Connie) of Paradise, Ks, Deanna Hoeme of Iowa City, Ia; Nina McNeal of Hays, Ks, Myrle McNeal (Julie) of Boulder, Co, and Leisha Jones (Rick) of Colorado Springs, Co. Denzil had 23 grandchildren including their spouses; 29 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Angela McNeal; father, Dennis McNeal; his mother, Maurine McNeal; brother, Albert McNeal; and sister, Beverly McNeal.

Denzil is dancing on the streets of gold with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ now. While he will be missed greatly by so many of us here, we know that we can rest in the promise that God gives us that He is preparing a place for us there too, and we will see our dad, and friend again someday soon.

A funeral service will be held at the Nazarene Church in Plainville on Friday, November 6, 2026 at 10:30 AM. Burial will be at 1:30 PM at Cedar Bluff Cemetery in Osborne County, Kansas. Visitation will be Thursday from 5:30 until 7 PM with the family present at the funeral home in Stockton.

Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Boys Town and The Heifer Project and may be sent to Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home, 723 N. 1st, Stockton, KS 67669.