thedrifter
01-06-09, 06:18 AM
Anthony 'Tony' McNeal remembered for love of football, dedication to family, service in Marines and Army
by David Harris | The Flint Journal
Monday January 05, 2009, 9:11 AM
FLINT, Michigan -- Anthony "Tony" McNeal had a great passion for football.
His passion was so great, said his mother Mary McNeal, that he decided to join the Marines in hopes of bulking up his body so he could play more college football. Tony McNeal, 46, of Flint, died of unknown causes on Dec. 29.
McNeal earned a scholarship to play running back at Northwood University in Midland after starring at Flint Northern High School.
"He loved his football," Mary McNeal said.
And, she loved watching him play.
"I loved to see him run," she said. "I liked to see him get the ball and make a touchdown."
McNeal played at Northwood for two years until leaving to join the Marines. He never went back to college football.
His mother said he still enjoyed watching games.
"He loved watching games," Mary McNeal said. "He was a sports person."
Tony McNeal stayed in the Marines for four years and then went to work for General Motors. He stayed at GM until he was laid off and then went into the Army, serving until 1999.
He went back to work for GM after the Army.
Mary McNeal said he didn't talk much about his time in the military, but he enjoyed it.
His daughter Endia McNeal, 15, of Flint said her father was easy to talk to.
"If you had a problem, you could always talk to him," his daughter said. "Even if you were sad, he would make you laugh."
He leaves to eight children; six grandchildren; mother, Mary L. McNeal; stepfather, Eric V. Tweedy; one sister; and two brothers.
The funeral is 11 a.m. today at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1083 E. Stewart Ave.
Ellie
by David Harris | The Flint Journal
Monday January 05, 2009, 9:11 AM
FLINT, Michigan -- Anthony "Tony" McNeal had a great passion for football.
His passion was so great, said his mother Mary McNeal, that he decided to join the Marines in hopes of bulking up his body so he could play more college football. Tony McNeal, 46, of Flint, died of unknown causes on Dec. 29.
McNeal earned a scholarship to play running back at Northwood University in Midland after starring at Flint Northern High School.
"He loved his football," Mary McNeal said.
And, she loved watching him play.
"I loved to see him run," she said. "I liked to see him get the ball and make a touchdown."
McNeal played at Northwood for two years until leaving to join the Marines. He never went back to college football.
His mother said he still enjoyed watching games.
"He loved watching games," Mary McNeal said. "He was a sports person."
Tony McNeal stayed in the Marines for four years and then went to work for General Motors. He stayed at GM until he was laid off and then went into the Army, serving until 1999.
He went back to work for GM after the Army.
Mary McNeal said he didn't talk much about his time in the military, but he enjoyed it.
His daughter Endia McNeal, 15, of Flint said her father was easy to talk to.
"If you had a problem, you could always talk to him," his daughter said. "Even if you were sad, he would make you laugh."
He leaves to eight children; six grandchildren; mother, Mary L. McNeal; stepfather, Eric V. Tweedy; one sister; and two brothers.
The funeral is 11 a.m. today at Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, 1083 E. Stewart Ave.
Ellie