Raymond Edward "Ed" Neal, Jr.

Raymond Edward (Ed) Neal, Jr. of Hendersonville TN passed suddenly on Tuesday, Sept. 17 at the age of 74. Ed was a member of Kemper Hts. Church of Christ. Ed graduated from East Nashville High and MTSU, where he was a member of ATO. He founded the Special Needs Sports Foundation, Inc. and served as Chairman and President. He showed his love for his special "kids" of all ages, and was known as Coach Ed. He was a volunteer coach for the Hendersonville Parks' RAPTORS program for over 25 years, and started the Sumner County Special Olympics basketball and won gold medals with his teams.

Ed is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Christine Neal. He is survived by his wife of 51 ½ years, Gay Beazley Neal, son Brian Neal, brother Paul (Emma) Neal, niece Jennifer Neal, and nephews Wesley Neal and Bob Roberts, brother-in-law Jay Beazley, and sister-in-law Candy (William) Joyce.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Special Needs Sports Foundation, Inc., 138 Hedgelawn Drive, Hendersonville TN 37075 or DSAMT, 1310 Central Ct., Hermitage TN 37076