Bennie Gilbert Neel

The memorial service for Bennie G. Neel will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 8, at Hillcrest Chapel, 2201 N Phoenix Rd, Medford. Inurnment will be in Hillcrest Memorial Park.

Bennie, 74, of Central Point, died Friday, June 30, 2006, at his home. He was born Sept. 25, 1932 in Long Beach, Calif. to William Claude and Bessie Faye (Harrington) Neel.

Ben was a long time resident of Central Point, moving to the Rogue Valley in 1950. He owned and operated Ben's Auto Wrecking. His passion was racing stock cars. He began his racing career in 1962 in White City and continued a very successful racing career into the 1990s. He was a member, president, and held other positions in the Racing Association. He also participated in track management. Besides racing cars, Ben loved hunting, auto mechanics, building stock cars and trailers, reading, being with his family, gardening, and tree falling.

Ben leaves behind his companion, Bonnie Poythress; seven children, Danny Neel, Rita Cooper of Cinabar, Wash., Sharon Shafer of Paso Robles, Calif., Susan Medina of Bakersfield, Calif., Jane Richmond of Central Point, Billy Neel of Pt. Charlotte, Fla., Lisa Gray of Eagle Point; three step-children, Virgina Murilla of Medford, Bob Breland of Eagle Point, Gloria Valdez of White City; 15 grandchildren; 10 step-grandchildren; many great-grandchildren; and one great-great grandson. He was preceded in death by his parents and a son, Shandy Neel.

Our father and grandfather was a very kind loving man and he will be missed greatly by his family and friends.

GOD BLESS HIM

Arrangements by Conger-Morris Funeral Directors, Medford 772-7111.