Luther Neal, Jr passed away on March 21, 2025, at the age of 89. He was born on Jan. 8, 1936, in Picket County, Tennessee. His family moved to Crossville, Tennessee in 1944 where he grew up on a farm.  He graduated from Cumberland County High School in 1954 and after working at various jobs over the next three years he decided to go to college.  He entered Tennessee Technological University in September 1957 and graduated in July 1960 with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering with highest distinction. While at Tech he was recognized for numerous scholastic achievements including being selected for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. After graduating from Tech he went to work for NASA at the Langley Research Center in Virginia where he worked on various projects including the Gemini and Apollo space programs, stability and control testing of high speed vehicles, and hypersonic turbulent boundary layer research activities. While at NASA he earned a MS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Virginia in 1965. In 1966 he transferred to the Air Force Arnold Engineering Development Center in Tullahoma where he served in a variety of positions for 31 years including Chief of the Corporate Planning Office, Air Force Manager of the Test Contracts, and Technical Director of Operations. He served as the U.S. Technical Project Officer on agreements with both the British and Brazilians on wind tunnel testing. He received numerous recognitions for his outstanding activities including Middle Tennessee Professional and Scientific Federal Employee of the Year in 1976; the AFSC Certificate of Merit in 1982; the AFSC Outstanding Corporate Planning Office Award in 1983; the Air Force Meritorious Civilian Service Award in 1985 and the AEDC Operations Directorate Eagle Award for Leadership in 1994. In 2001 he received prestigious recognition as being selected as an AEDC Fellow. He was preceded in death by his parents Luther Neal, Sr. and Melva Amonett Neal of Crossville and brothers Huel Neal and Leon Neal of Crossville.  He is survived by his loving wife of over 68 years, Jacquelyn Carey Neal of Manchester, daughter Sharon Neal Banks (Terry) of Manchester, son Dr. Scott Neal of Manchester, Granddaughters Amber Banks Walker (Derek) and Stephanie Banks Stewart (Colton) of Manchester, Great grandchildren (Addison, Ava, Jeremiah and Payton) and sister Dr. Ruth Neal McCoy of Crossville, and numerous other relatives and friends. He was a member of the Baptist Faith. He was a strong early advocate in getting city water to rural areas in Coffee County and served as         Secretary-Treasurer of the Hillsville Utility District for three years. He also served three years on the Coffee County Public Building Authority Board. He became a registered Professional Engineer in 1968 and a registered land surveyor in 1979. He was an avid horse enthusiast and enjoyed trail riding.  He was a regular for local day rides and loved camping and riding at the many horse camps in Tennessee and neighboring states. In 2011 Luther and Jacquelyn loaded up his favorite horse Kasie in their living quarters horse trailer and embarked on a month-long 5,000 mile out west combined sightseeing and trail riding trip thru  nine states including Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, and Colorado. He gave up trail riding at age 83 but continued to take care of his horses till the end.

Manchester Funeral Home and Crematory