Charles Neel

Charles Philip Neel, born October 12, 1927, passed away July 25, 2012 at 84 years old, 5 days shy of his 63rd wedding anniversary. Phil and his wife Lou moved to Birmingham from Sumter County, AL the day they got married and have lived here ever since. Phil served 2 years in the US Navy during World War II. Phil was a sports cartoonist for The Birmingham Post Herald for 34 years and a free lance artist since 1950 for schools all over the southeast, including Auburn University where he is well know for being the creator of the mascot, Aubie. Additionally, he served as a baseball, football, and basketball coach in the Wahoma Park Community. They already have one child in heaven, a son born in 1954, simply known as Little Brother. Phil will be greatly missed by his brothers John S. Neel of Livingston, AL and David S. Neel of Opelika, AL, children Mike and Johnnie Sue Neel, Rick and Susan Neel, Ronny and Cindy Huguley, and Rob and Mary Springer, all 14 grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren. He was currently a member of Deerfoot Baptist Church. Over the past 55 years, he has served in numerous churches as a Sunday School teacher, youth worker, and a deacon. The service will be held at Deerfoot Baptist Friday at 11 am with visitation preceding that at 10 am. Graveside services will be held at Jefferson Memorial Gardens in Trussville, AL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that a donation be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in honor of his grandson Samuel, at MDA.org.