Eric Neal

Eric Neal, 33, of LaBelle, died Wednesday, March 24, 2021. He was born on October 4, 1987, to Laurie Jean Crowder Neal and William Keith Neal, in Beaumont. Eric worked as an engineer for OCI Beaumont.

Eric had many interests and hobbies. At the young age of 2, Eric found a love for video games. He loved them so much, his parents had to unplug the game so he’d go to sleep. In fact, oftentimes when his parents thought he was crying out for a bottle, he was actually crying out for his Nintendo. His love for video games continued for many years, and Eric always had the latest gaming console. He also loved playing sports, but especially baseball. He had a successful high school baseball career for three years on the varsity team with several play-off games and victories. In fact, Eric’s last pitch was a play-off victory.  

Eric was also an avid fisherman. He loved going out on the lake in his boat, especially with his dad. One of his proudest fishing moments was in 2019 at the Big Bass Splash, the last tournament he was able to participate in. He came in 2nd place for the hour with a bass weighing in at 7.59 lbs, winning him $2000.

Eric’s most recent hobby has been collecting sports cards and other memorabilia. He and his dad did some collecting back in 1992 when Eric got a Troy Aikman card. Though they stopped collecting after a while, he picked it back up in the past couple of years. Eric has made many new friends through the card collecting community, and it brought him joy during his battle with cancer.

Other things that Eric enjoyed include listening to Texas Country music, sitting by the fire and watching Texas A&M football games. He was the loudest, proudest member of the Fightin’ Texas Aggie Class of 2010.

To know Eric was to love him. He was voted Mr. Longhorn the Hamshire-Fannett graduating Class of 2006, and this group has continued to support him throughout his journey. He also made many friends through college and career. Eric loved to be surrounded by friends and loved ones and never met a stranger.

Eric’s selfless, genuine, and caring personality made him so well loved. Eric always gave 110% in everything he did. Whether it was work, or giving his time and attention to others, he was always intentional and sincere. He provided for his loved one in ways most wouldn’t even think of. We all are better people for having Eric in our lives. Eric fought with courage and dignity and never lost his faith. His legacy will live on forever and continue to change lives for the better.

Survivors include his parents, Laurie and Keith Neal; wife of six years, Shelby Neal; sister, Erin Laughlin and her husband, Jeff; sister-in-law, Jolie Bruney and her husband, Alec; niece, Emrie Laughlin; maternal grandfather, Tolbert Crowder; paternal grandparents, Chief Billy and Sue Neal; uncle, Mark Crowder and his wife, Beverly; aunts, Joanna Head and her husband, Larry; Kristi Hood and her husband, Kirby; and Cindi Bordelon and her husband, Todd; in-laws, Tamra and Randy Basye; and numerous cousins and extended family.

He is preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Dolores Crowder.

A gathering of Eric’s family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Sunday, March 28, 2021, at First Baptist Church, Hamshire. His funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Monday, March 29, 2021, at First Baptist Church, 25304 Highway 124, Hamshire. His interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Winnie, under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A reception will follow his interment at First Baptist Church, Hamshire.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Eric Neal Benefit Donation Fund (to be used in the community as a scholarship fund), referencing account number 2213347160, at any Wells Fargo location; MD Anderson Cancer Center, referencing Sarcoma Care in the memo, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210-4486 https://gifts.mdanderson.org; or Gideons International, P.O. Box 97251, Washington, DC 20090-7251 www.gideons.org/donate.

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