Pat L. McNeil Obituary (1927 - 2015)

Patrick Leslie McNeil, 88, of Madisonville, KY passed away Friday, October 30, 2015 at his residence. Mr. McNeil was born April 13, 1927 in Indianapolis, IN to the late Patrick McNeil and Alta Harris McNeil. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Frances McNeil on March 19, 2005; and by a son, Patrick L. McNeil III. Mr. McNeil a teacher at Russellville and then went to Hopkinsville schools, where he was the football coach, and served as a Superintendent of Schools in Hopkins County. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and American Legion. He graduated from Western Kentucky University and George Peabody College. He was an All-State and All-Southern halfback. He was recruited by Bear Bryant at U.K. and later transferred to Western Kentucky to play football where he met the love of his life while he was a student there. He was the recipient of the coveted and prestigious F. L. Dupree Award for Creative Educational Administration presented by the Kentucky School Boards Association in 1981, and was elected to DuPont Manuel's High School Hall of Fame in 2001. While active, he was a member of all national and state educational orginzations dealing with public education and school administration. He was a member of the First Christian Church in Madisonville and was a U.S. Navy veteran, having served in the Seabee's in Japan after the Atomic Bomb was dropped during World War II. He is survived by his son, Gregory McNeil of Marion, KY; a sister, Betty McNeil Powell of Louisville, KY; and a brother, Danny McNeil, Lexington, KY; and two brother-in-laws; Perry Mills of Clinton, KY and Don Mills of Lexington. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at Barnett-Strother Funeral Home with Rev. Don McLaughlin officiating. Burial will follow in Odd Fellows Cemetery at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday November 4, 2015. Visitation will be from 12:00 P.M. until 3:00 P.M. Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be John McClearn, Byron Watkin, Scotty Parson, Wayne Browning, Jerry Earl, Ed Moore, and Joe Thomas. Honorary pallbearer will be Alan Bundren and Ray Merrell. Memorial contributions can be made to the First Christian Church of Madisonville. Envelopes will be made available at the funeral home.