Neal was born in Caddo, Oklahoma in 1940, and grew up around horses and cattle. He is a member of the Choctaw Nation and proud of its heritage. Neal graduated from Durant High School and still resides in Durant. His college eduction began at Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and he received his degree in fine art from the University of Oklahoma, and has been pursuing a career in art since then. He worked at various jobs as a young man in construction, fighting forest fires in Idaho, cowboying on ranches in Oklahoma and Kansas, and was a member of the Army Reserve.

Neal spent the first ten years of his professional life as a college class ring designer for the John Roberts Co. in Norman, Oklahoma. After working for the Postal Service Technical Center as an illustrator, he decided to develop a realistic style of painting following western and historic themes. His love for the West and Oklahoma history showed through in his art, and he developed a market for his work.

He has had his paintings and sculptures purchased and displayed in museums, galleries, banks, and institutions in Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico. His artwork has received several “Best of Show” and blue ribbons at juried shows, including being named the “1889er Western Artist of the Year.” His bronze sculpture, “The Spirit of ’89” was presented to President Ronald Reagan and is on display at the Reagan Library. Another casting has been on display at the Will Rogers Airport in Oklahoma City. He was also fortunate to have his design chosen for the Oklahoma Bicentennial Medallion by the Franklin Mint. More recently, he was associated with the U.S. Mint as one of nine master designers.

His life has been blessed with family, his church, good friends, good horses, two outstanding dogs, and Oklahoma and the Rocky Mountains.