Larry J. Neal, former Rapa employee

Larry Joseph Neal was born Nov. 4, 1962. He departed this life at the Delaware Hospice Center Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, surrounded by his loving wife and family. Larry fought a courageous 13-month battle with cancer. He never gave up, even as he took his final breath.

Larry was raised in Georgetown, the youngest of seven children. He attended Georgetown Elementary School, Sussex Central Jr. High School, and graduated from Sussex Central High School in 1980. He was a jokester who loved to poke at others and tell funny stories. Larry will be remembered for his sneakers, which were always clean and like new. He liked to wear nice clothes. He also loved to profile in his Jeep and later his Ford truck, which were also always clean.

In 1997, Larry married the love of his life, Cynthia Thompson, who he met while employed at Cargill (now Allen’s) Poultry. Larry later worked for 12 years at Rapa Scrapple Company in Bridgeville, where he was a loyal employee. He remained close to many of his fellow workers.

He is now resting in the bosom of the Lord. Larry was preceded in death by his parents, the late Wilbert and Ruth Neal of Georgetown; and a nephew, Tyrone Coleman of Millsboro. Larry leaves to cherish his memory his devoted wife, Cynthia Neal of Delmar; two adult children, Jermaine Johnson (wife Roberta) of Bridgeville, and Constance Savage (husband Clifton) of Laurel; three brothers, Wilbert Lee Neal (wife Carol) of Milton, Ivan Neal (wife Sabrina), and Tony Neal (wife Vanessa) both of Georgetown; three sisters, Esther Denise Peacock (husband Julian) of Dagsboro, Margaret Neal of Georgetown, and Carolyn Long (husband Charles) of Georgetown; a mother-in-law, JoAnne Carr of Seaford; two sisters-in-law, Linda Thompson and Denise Thompson, both of Seaford; one brother-in-law, Philip Thompson of Bear; six grandchildren; and a host of other aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Dec. 15, at Grace United Methodist Church, 7 South King St., Georgetown. The viewing will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. prior to the funeral service. Flowers may be sent to the church.