Oklahoma City, OK
December 5, 2009
James Neal Towner, 79, of Oklahoma City died Dec. 5, 2009 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. Neal was ordained in 1954 for the Oklahoma City Diocese and served in three different parishes until 1070. He then married Sammy Lea Hardick. He served as vice-president of Blue Cross and Blue Shield and as the first Inspector General for the Oklahoma State Mental Health Dept.
Neal had a passion for helping people. After his retirement in 1996 he volunteered for several local charities and as a supplier of medical equipment for the Oklahoma mission of Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala. Neal was vigorous promoter of church reform, especially the married priesthood. his many friends, colleagues, beneficiaries and especially Sammy miss him very much. May Neal rest in peace.