CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend community said goodbye to Lloyd Neal who served the public as both Mayor of Corpus Christi and Nueces County Judge.
"He was a wonderful father, he was a leader by example, he was a lover, he was an encourager, but more than that, he was someone who was always present," Neal Jr.'s son said. "You always said, 'How can he be present if he does so much?' But he was there, and he left shoes that were literally and figuratively too big to fill, but I'm so grateful to carry his name."
City leaders also recognized Neal Jr.'s legacy on social media. "His contributions were many to our community and his impact felt in any room," Nueces County Judge Barbara Canales wrote.
Over the course of his 85 year long life, the former mayor and judge strove to help everyone he could; Even dedicating his spare time to improving the lives of others.
Neal III said he is grateful beyond words for the amount of support he and his family have received during this time, and that it is reflective of his father's love for the community.
3NEWS spoke to his granddaughter, Savannah Neal, who said that her grandfather was kind, great, and that his impact on the community is clear.
"He was very easy going, always the biggest man in the room and he had the biggest smile and the biggest heart," she shared. "He was very kind, a little bit on the quieter side, but he always let you know how much he cared about us and how much he really loved us."
Savannah Neal called his legacy unspeakable and bigger than the imagination. Beyond that, she also read the Last Corps Trip, a famous Aggie poem which is meant to honor the lives of those who served in the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets or Aggie band.
Neal Jr. was truly an Aggie through and through. He will be missed and we thank him and his family for his service.
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