John R. Neal, Jr.

John Robert Neal, Jr. of Cuba, Missouri was born on Tuesday, March 05, 1974, in St. Louis, Missouri to John Robert Neal, Sr. and Janie Neal, nee Hill. He passed away on Thursday, April 6, 2023, at St. Louis University Hospital in St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 49 years, 1 month and 1 day.

John attended and graduated from Hazelwood West High School. Upon graduation he attended Mineral Area College where he received an Associate's Degree in Fine Arts.  John managed a print shop, Doug’s Shirt Shack in Cuba, MO.  John married the love of his life, Tara Flynn on "May the Fourth" and one son was born to this union. He enjoyed painting pictures using oil and watercolor, sculpting, growing organic heirloom vegetables, experimenting with different pizza recipes, and building with Legos, especially train sets. John’s goal was to have a playroom for his young son where he could build with Legos and set up a train on tracks traveling around the perimeter of the room. He also enjoyed restoring his 1970 Oldsmobile.  John was a dedicated father and husband and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents John and Janie Neal and mother-in-law Cheryl Flynn.

John is survived by his wife, Tara Flynn of Cuba, MO; father-in-law Edward Flynn and son, Benton Robert Neal both of Cuba, MO; sisters Debbie and husband Joe Mattli of Smithville, MO and Vicki and husband Steven Pennington of Arkansas; nieces Rachel Mattli of Smithville, MO and Heather and husband Kevin Kendal of St. Peters, MO; nephew Joey and wife Emily Mattli of Smithville, MO; other relatives, cousins, and friends.

The family chose cremation as his final disposition. Memorials are suggested to the funeral home to assist with funeral expenses.

All arrangements are under the direction of Hutson Funeral Home, Cuba, MO.

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