Harry Allan Neville, 87, of College Station, died at his home on Sunday, June 23, 2013. He was born on January 17, 1926, to Mary Ada MaGarity Neville and Rubin Thomas Neville, in Ranger, Texas. Harry lived in the Beaumont area from 1946 until 1997. He retired in 1987 then moved to College Station in 1997 and was a member of First Baptist Church, Bryan.
Harry graduated from high school in Grapeland in 1943 and attended Texas A&M University before entering the United States Navy in 1944 during World War II. He was aboard the Destroyer, USS Douglas H. Fox DD-779, and survived a kamikaze attack while on the ship.
During his time at A&M, Harry was a member of The Kiddie Korps football team and also played the coronet in the Texas A&M Band. He loved the Aggies and was a member of the Letterman’s Association and the Texas A&M Foundation.
After World War II, he worked for Texas Gas Corporation, the former Glen McCarthy Chemical company in Winnie, Texas. Harry later received a B.S. from East Texas State and an M.Ed from Sam Houston State Teachers College and began his teaching career in 1955. He was active with the teachers in the Beaumont area and served as President of the Classroom Teachers in 1968. During this presidency, a professional agreement between administrators and teachers was adopted and is mentioned in “The History of South Park High School”. In 1973, he was voted as “Outstanding Teacher of South Park High School” and given an “Outstanding Teacher Award” by the Beaumont A&M Club. Harry was later Assistant Principal of Forest Park High School. He was a member of the South East Texas Industrial Arts Association, Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, and the NEA. Not only was he involved with the children inside the schools but also took an active role outside of school being involved with Little League and Cub Scouts. He loved young people, and they loved him. He retired in 1987.
His life was devoted to the children of Texas for thirty-two years, having served as a teacher and administrator in public schools. The 1961 yearbook of the Hamshire-New Holland High School was dedicated to him as a tribute for “his unceasing work with his students and organizations”.
Survivors include his wife of sixty years, Betty Lou Cornish Neville; son, Jack Calvin Neville; grandchildren, Scott Allan Neville and Brock Tanner Neville and his wife, Felicia; great-granddaughter, Kalie Lynne Neville; great-grandson, Kade Tanner Neville, all of College Station; niece, Tommie Neville Biano and her husband, Lon Ray, and their family, all of Fannett.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, David Neville; sister, Dorothy Hinckley; and daughter-in-law, Charlotte Stanford Neville.
A gathering of Mr. Neville’s family and friends will be from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. His graveside service will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 4955 Pine Street, Beaumont, with Dr. Jim Adams of First Baptist Church, Bryan, officiating.
