Post date: Mar 27, 2012 9:42:09 PM
ROGERS — Neil Abel of Rogers, Iota Theta No. 31, died Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at his home.
Born Aug. 20, 1933, in Jonesboro, he was the son of Marshall and Ruth Abel. Neil graduated from Arkansas State University, was a U.S. Army veteran of the Korean War and was a member of Monette Masonic Lodge No. 558.
Neil spent most of his life as a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, teacher and coach. Neil spent the majority of his career as a high school basketball coach at Childress, Manila and Monette. Later in his career he became the golf coach at ASU, where he coached for 27 years, and he was inducted into the ASU Hall of Honor in 2009. Neil cherished being a part of so many young people’s lives and making many great friendships through the years.
He was a member of the Downtown Church of Christ in Rogers.
He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Peggy Smith.
Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Margaret Darr Abel of the home; his daughter and son-in-law, Tammi and Tommy Mardis; three grandchildren, Kayce and Trey Mardis and Stacy Tidwell and her husband Drew Tidwell, all of Rogers; a sister-in-law, Shelby Haney and her husband Loran of Jonesboro; and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were held at Emerson Memorial Chapel with Darrell Bridges officiating. Burial was in Monette Cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Jim Steele, David Faught, Dave Dailey, Gary Dawson, Chris Jenkins, Tim Reeves and Mike Satterwhite.
Honorary pallbearers were Ben Overman, Gene Vance, Morgan Gilbert, Tommy Towles, Larry “Friday Joe” Garrison, Lee Brun, Larry Lacewell, Chris Lacewell, Mike Gleghorn, Jeri Ann Winters, Chris Winters and Brenda Berkel.