Harold Preston McNeill

Harold Preston McNeill, born February 28, 1949, of Sanford died on June 14, 2022 in Big Pine Key, Florida fishing for his next great catch. Before passing, he forged a 73-year trail of laughter, hard work, generosity, and wisdom.

A devoted husband to wife Rhonda, who attests that the secret to the longevity of their 41-year marriage is due to his endless “piddling” in his shop while she governed the main house. Every evening, they’d come back together to watch the news, eat dinner, and play Jeopardy. A dedicated father who raised two children: a son who inherited his dad’s love of the water, his stubborn streak, and his thinning hair; and a daughter who acquired her father’s witty banter, unfailing kindness, and love for intestine-incinerating spicy food. His incomparable humor was revealed through his contagious laugh, colorful jokes, and “nusually” a unique form of pronunciation. His comedy material was often inspired and repeated from the Big Pine Key Coconut Telegraph. Harold’s high intelligence was facilitated by a master’s degree from Appalachian State University, and was demonstrated in teaching his children everything they know, from boating and fishing to cooking, geography, and sports. He never knew a stranger.

He met and made friends at Lowes hardware, Food Lion, and the Piggly Wiggly; the great trifecta.  His talent of shrewd wheeling and dealing was regularly presented on the Swap Shop, Craigslist, and during his weekly auction attendance. Harold was no stranger to hard work, from continuous farming throughout his life to a 30-year career as the City Planner of Sanford. He had a passion for John Deere tractors, Jack Daniels whiskey, and a cold Miller-Lite. He always had time to take his son deep sea fishing, watch a Duke basketball game with his daughter, pass time with friends, and help a person in need. He’d rarely miss a Clint Eastwood or John Wayne movie, unless it was interrupted for his habitual watching of the History Channel.

Harold was preceded in death by his daughter Megan Lea, his parents Girlene and Preston, and brother Dale McNeill. He is survived by his wife Rhonda McNeill, his son Brent McNeill, his daughter Sarah Jordan and son-in-law Scott Jordan. In the sentiment of Rooster Cogburn from the movie True Grit (a Harold McNeill favorite) his life and death will NOT go unnoticed.

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend the wake Thursday, June 30^th 6pm-8pm at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home and funeral which will be held at Morris Chapel United Methodist Church on Friday, July 1^st beginning at 11am. A graveside service will be held immediately after.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Harold Preston McNeill, please visit our floral store.