J. Neal Garland's Obituary
J. Neal Garland, loving husband, father, and grandfather, died after a lengthy illness on Saturday, August 23, 2014, in Longview, Texas, at the age of 78. He was a long-time Longview citizen and oil and gas businessman who found great joy in his family, his friends, and in philanthropic interests in the East Texas community.
J. Neal Garland was born on October 24, 1935, in Jefferson, Texas, the fourth of five sons of Edwin Grady Garland, Sr. and Kennie Elizabeth Edge Garland. When he was an infant, he and his family moved to Longview, where he graduated from Longview High School in 1954. An avid golfer all of his life, he played on the Longview High School varsity golf team and attended the University of Texas on a golf scholarship. He received his Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Geology, in 1959.
On January 30, 1959, he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Burnham. They lived in Longview most of their married life. As a young man after graduating from college, he worked for Mr. Bob Cargill, Sr. and Mr. John Wrather, Sr., both early oil and gas operators in East Texas. In 1972, the Garland family moved to Houston where Neal was Executive Vice President of Goldston Oil Corporation. He then returned to Longview in 1985, continuing to work for Goldston Oil, as well as managing his own oil and gas companies.
Neal loved people and he enjoyed sharing stories of the oil and gas business, books he had read, his travels, and experiences in life. Most of his friends and family members were known to him by a nickname that he created, and he always showed great affection with his greetings to countless people.
He was passionate about the game of golf, and his interest began as a young caddy at Pinecrest Country Club in the late 1940’s. His love for golf continued throughout his life as he played courses all over the United States and while visiting his second home on the Old Course at St. Andrews, Scotland. His first and only hole-in-one was on the #1 at Pinecrest Country Club in 1996.
Neal never forgot any kindness that was extended to him. While still a high school golfer, one of his benefactors was Mr. Jack Castleberry, then an oil and gas businessman in Longview. He selected Neal as his favorite caddy at Pinecrest, and he gave Neal his first full set of golf clubs. Many decades later, Neal flew to San Francisco and presented the same clubs to Mr. Sean Tierney, the grandson of Jack Castleberry.
Neal, a man of faith, was a long-time member of First United Methodist Church in Longview. In the early years at the church, he and Peggy taught the three-year-old Sunday school class, and he coached middle school basketball. His community and board involvement were extensive. He served on the Boards of First United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Foundation, Crisman School, Trinity School of Texas, Longview Museum of Fine Arts, and the Longview Ballet Theatre. He served on the University of Texas at Tyler Advisory Board and the UT-Tyler Longview University Center Advisory Board. Neal was a founding member and was instrumental in establishing the Piney Woods First Tee program for young golfers. One of Neal’s proudest achievements was his effort in helping establish the University of Texas at Tyler Longview University Center. Many students in Longview have received, and will continue to receive, a college education with assistance from the Neal and Peggy Garland Scholarship Fund. Neal found great joy in helping other people in need, and he did so with numerous acts of kindness and generosity.
Neal was named a Longview Rotary Citizen of the Year in 2000, was recognized as Patriot of the Year by the University of Texas at Tyler, and in 2008 was received into the Chancellor’s Ring at his alma mater, the University of Texas in Austin.
J. Neal Garland is survived by his wife of 55 years, Peggy Burnham Garland. He is also survived by a daughter, Mimi Garland Cammack and husband Bruce Cammack, and a son, James “Jay” Neal Garland and wife Susan Bagley Garland, all of Longview. He is survived by three grandchildren, Cole Garland Cammack, Catherine Elizabeth Garland, and Victoria Grace Garland. Also special to him were his two step-grandsons, Stuart Clark Cammack and his family of Austin, and Dr. Clay Alexander “Alex” Cammack and his family of Dallas. His brother Gene Garland, Sr. and wife, Claudine, of Longview also survive him along with numerous
cousins, nieces, and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and
three brothers, Douglas Ike Garland, Jimmie Ray Garland, and Edwin Grady Garland, Jr. Laddy, his pet Yorkie, was his long-time companion and putting buddy.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rader Funeral Home in Longview. A service of celebration and remembrance will be held at First United Methodist Church Longview at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, August 26, 2014, officiated by Dr. Roy James. A reception and visitation will immediately follow the service in the Cook Foyer at the church. In lieu of flowers, and if so desired, memorial gifts may be made to First United Methodist Church, 400 N. Fredonia Street, Longview, TX 75601, the Neal and Peggy Garland Scholarship Fund at UT Tyler Longview University Center, 3201 N. Eastman Rd, Longview, TX 75605, or to a charity of your choice.
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