For decades, R.B. “Bob” Neale Jr. used his managerial skills to shape a range of Denton institutions, including businesses, city government, civic groups and health care.

But many remember the longtime resident for another talent: his voice.

Bob Neale

Even in his 90s, the tenor sang solos as part of the First Baptist Church choir.

“He would always get a standing ovation,” his son Al Neale said. “You didn’t know if it was for the song or having the guts to get up there at 87 or 89 and sing a solo. But he enjoyed every part of it.”

Bob Neale, an active member of First Baptist for 84 years, died in his sleep Monday at Denton’s Good Samaritan Village. He was 95.

A memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church, 1100 Malone St. Burial will take place at 1 p.m. in the IOOF Cemetery.

Neale’s influence reached into myriad facets of Denton life, including commerce and the arts. His awards include the Greater Denton Arts Council’s top honor, the Community Arts Recognition Award.

“He was just a fixture in Denton,” family friend Pati Ha­worth said. “He was part of the fabric of the city during its years of development.”

Neale was born May 25, 1912, in Archer City and moved to Denton in 1921. The oldest of five children, he graduated from Denton High School in 1928 and received a bachelor’s degree in Latin from North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas, in 1932.

He then put his minor in business administration to use in a variety of positions. His resume included two years as an assistant bookkeeper for Denton Dairy Products, two years as assistant county superintendent of schools and six years as secretary-treasurer of the city of Denton.

On Aug. 17, 1938, he married Gaynelle Yeager at First Baptist Church. They had two sons, Rob and Al.

Neale served in the U.S. Navy from February 1945 to March 1946. He then returned to Denton and his job as manager of Denton Bus Lines, owned by his father.

At age 39, Neale became ad­ministrator of Flow Memorial Hospital, where worked from 1951 to 1960.

He spent the next 14 years at Denton State School, mostly as the personnel officer, before retiring in 1975.

The Neales regularly opened their Southridge home to friends and various church groups. Bob also kept busy tending to his yard, full of post oaks, Al Neale said.

“Dad liked to say he had 76 trees just like the [76] trombones,” he said, referring to the musical The Music Man.

Gaynelle Neale preceded her husband in death in 2001. Sur­vivors include their sons, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

Throughout his life, Bob Neale involved himself with community clubs and activities, including the Denton Kiwanis Club, Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton Chamber of Commerce and Den­ton Community Chorus.

He served as president of the Denton Kiwanis in 1945 and directed the club’s variety shows for years.

Crystal Wood, club secretary, said the 72-year member had trouble making meetings in re­cent years because of his age.

But he always tried to show up around his May birthday to lead the club in singing “Happy Birthday to You,” she said.

“He was quite an enthusiastic song leader,” Wood said.

Lifelong friend Marjorie Lynn Hall remembered Neale’s affable personality.

“He was very outgoing and a lot of fun,” she said. “He had a wonderful sense of humor.”

Al Neale described his father as a classic people person.

“He just enjoyed people,” he said, “enjoyed life.”

But more importantly, he said, his father left behind a legacy of faith.

“I never saw my dad drink alcohol, use tobacco or say anything, I mean anything, that conflicted with his Christian testimony,” he said. “I’m serious. And that im­pressed me very much growing up.

“I considered him a true gentleman.”

LOWELL BROWN can be reached at 940-566-6882. His e-mail address is lmbrown@dentonrc.com .