THOMAS VEZ NEEL JR
THOMAS VEZ NEEL JR
Thomas Vez Neel Jr, age 71, made his glorious transition to his heavenly home on Sunday, November 21, 2021, surrounded by his immediate family. At the time of his passing, he was hospitalized at KU Medical Center receiving treatment for a heart infection and strokes, to which he ultimately succumbed.
Thomas (Tom) graduated from Southwest High School in KCMO and went on to serve for four years in the U.S. Navy. After honorable completion of his military service, Tom accepted Christ as his Savior, received his Associates Degree from Christ for the Nations Institute in Texas, and was ordained as a minister in 1972. After returning to Kansas City, Tom served as Youth Pastor and Associate Pastor. Tom earned his Bachelors and Masters degrees and in 1996 received his Doctorate in Theology through Faith Bible College and Kingsway Christian College and Theological Seminary. Dr. Neel, served 25 years as a college professor at Faith Bible College until his passing.
While raising his family in Kansas City, Tom worked in sales and management roles at various companies for over 30 years, served the past 12 years as an educator and board member of a local youth ministry, and was also on the board of Faith Bible College.
Tom engaged in conversations with anyone, and was known for his humor, endless joke telling, and his words of encouragement to others, which led to many people receiving the gospel message. His daily motto was “never had a better day”.
Tom loved equipping people, whether it was as a wrestling coach, teaching at the Bible College, helping youth to serve the homeless in Kansas City, leading various missionary trips to build houses in Jamaica, or evangelizing on the streets of Westport area in Kansas City.
Tom’s life exemplified his devotion to God, family, friends and coworkers, and his greatest desire was that all would receive Christ’s gift of salvation and the assurance of eternity in God’s heavenly home.
Tom has relocated to his heavenly home, but leaves behind many loving memories for his family to cherish until we are reunited once again. Dr. Tom is survived by his wife Deborah Neel (Riddle) of 26 years, son Jared Neel (Ketta), daughters Rebekah Neel & Candice Schwarz (Brad), 5 grandchildren: Moriah Neel, Jared Neel Jr., Nekerra Neel, Brittany Hyatt, Caroline Banks and 2 great grandchildren Eli Hyatt and Amore’ Neel, nieces and great nephews.
Dr. Tom was preceded in death by his father Thomas V. Neel, brother Donald Neel and grandson David Neel.
A Celebration of Life Service in memory of Dr. Neel will be held at 2:00 PM, Saturday, December 18, 2021, at New Covenant Ministries Church in Independence, Missouri.
