Edward Wayne McNeal

Edward Wayne McNeal of Van Buren County passed away on March 19, 2025. He was born in McMinnville on July 17, 1949, to the late Anna Pearl Dodson McNeal & Edward Clifton “Chip” McNeal. He was also predeceased by his brother James “Jimmy” McNeal, & many beloved aunts, uncles, cousins & friends.

On December 21, 1969, he married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Mullins McNeal. They were in love for more than 57 years.

Wayne was a proud member of the McMinnville City High School Class of 1967. He graduated from MTSU with a degree in industrial technology, but spent many years in the construction engineering field. He was commissioned into the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant in 1971, and attended Engineer Officer training at Fort Belvoir, which served him well in his career. He worked for several engineering firms, most recently for Gresham, Smith, & Partners, consulting as a Construction Manager even after his retirement.

He was a member of the Pleasant Cove Church of Christ, having served the Westwood & Sparta’s Central congregations as a deacon. He volunteered with youth groups & missions over the years. Camalu, Mexico, was particularly special to him; he traveled there several times to lend his building expertise.

Mr. McNeal loved farming, & he loved to take his grandchildren to feed the cows on the family farm when they were small. In addition to his children, his grandchildren were the lights of his life, & he spoiled them every chance he got – go-carts, monster trucks, pools – if he saw it & thought it would make them happy, he got it. He also loved sports, most recently watching UT play in the SEC basketball tournament. He was a teller of amazing tales, an all-around fix-it man, & could explain the inner workings of almost anything to almost anyone. He loved animals & they loved him; he could often be found petting the head or belly of the nearest dog while drinking a cup of coffee.

Wayne is survived by his wife, Nancy, daughter & son-in-law Joanna & Brent Carden; son & daughter-in-law Carson & Holly McNeal; son Connor McNeal & Anthony Drawdy; grandsons Caleb Carden, Jude McNeal, Silas McNeal, & Dansby Carden; & granddaughters Ava Carden & Norah McNeal. He is also survived by his sister-in-law, nephews & nieces, great-nephews & great-nieces, aunts & uncles, & many cousins.

Mr. McNeal will be cremated and buried in a private ceremony. There will be no visitation or service at High Funeral Home.

Friends and family are invited to visit with the family and offer condolences in the fellowship room at Pleasant Cove Church of Christ on Sunday, March 23, 2025, from 2-4pm.

Memorial contributions are requested for H.O.M.E., Homeless of McMinnville Effort.