Neil Grace Obituary | January 8, 2020 | Laird Funeral Home - Nacogdoches, TX (2024)

Graveside services for Kenneth Neil Grace, 67, of Nacogdoches, was held on Thursday, January 9, 2020 at Simpson Campground Cemetery with Bro. Steven Smith, officiating.

Kenneth Neil Grace, Jr. was born in Ft. Worth, Texas on June 27, 1952. His friends, loved ones and Debra called him Neil. All of his grands called him Pawpaw. He was a loving man.

Neil was born to his father, Kenneth Neil Grace of Oklahoma. His father had a previous marriage which gave him Neil’s first born, sweet, big sister, Linda Grace Young. Later in life, Linda gave Neil a special niece, Julie Willard. Neil’s dad married his mother, Dealva “Dee” Holmes Grace King. She was born in Alva, Oklahoma. She is best known as “Granny Dee”. Neil was her first born and he was proud, strong minded and grew into a wonderful man. He also had three brothers, Jerry Dee Grace, who has passed away; Joseph Glen Grace (known as Joey) who had also passed away but had a daughter, Kristina and two grandsons, Dorian and Giovanni; and Tracy Allen Grace who had two wonderful children, Brittany Grace and Timothy Grace.

After the divorce of Neil’s parents, his mom married Raybon Earl King and his dad married Ann. Ann had Neil’s wonderful and blessed little sister, Shannon Grace who married Patrick Michaels and gave Neil 3 more beautiful nieces, LeAnne, Lauren, and Morgan. Another plus to all this was Neil’s stepsister, Carla and her husband, Johnny.

Life dealt no favors to Neil. Growing up rough and tough, he decided to join the Navy. In 1972, while on leave, he met a young, cute, woman of his dreams, Debra June King. The two fell in love and began their adventures, of which most folks can only dream of. They traveled (by hitch hiking), seeing the world through children’s eyes and had a blast. Neil taught Debra so much, and she loved him endlessly. About 4 years into their love affair, Debra planned their son, Mack Dillon Grace, in 1976. He was by far the best thing they ever did together, and still is. Mack is a great dad. He gave them Mack Dillon Grace, Jr., Hannah Klaire Grace, and Falon Elliot Grace and their wonderful daughter-in-law, Daron Grace. Neil and Debra were so proud of the community servant Mack became as a fireman and paramedic.

Neil and Debra took in two other children from another mother that were sent to them by their Lord and by Steven Ray King. They adopted David King who became a caregiver and carpenter. They also adopted Michelle King. Debra was excited to be a mother again. Michelle is now a caregiver for the elderly and mother to Neil and Debra’s grands, Madison R. King and Travis Bradley Cooper. Neil never hesitated one second in taking in these new children and raising them as their own. The rare trait of showing them pure, unfiltered love led them to becoming a beautiful part of the family and to them, Neil was always their dad. They loved him just as he loved them.

Neil became a Teamster lowboy heavy haul truck driver for the pipeline company, Murphy Brothers, in Illinois. He then worked as a Teamster steward, truck driver, lowboy hand and truck pusher. His next adventure was with T.G. Mercer in Weatherford, Texas, where he successfully helped build the company up so he could help employ many teamsters while being a mentor to the men.

Neil continued to be a husband, provider, father, grandpa and friend all the while, our Lord was working on him all along the way. He made him a better man. Now, in death, our Lord is working on us.

Neil leaves behind his grieving wife, Debra June Grace, of whom he was married to for 46 years; children, Mack Dillon Grace and wife, Daron of Chireno, David King of Nacogdoches and Michelle King and husband Jerry of Woden; grandchildren, Dillon Grace, Hannah Grace, Falon Grace, Madison King, Travis Bradley Cooper, Natalie King, Steven Ray King, III, Ashlynn King and Dayton King; sisters, Linda Young & husband, Red, Shannon Michaels & husband, Patrick and Carla Royce & husband, Johnny; sister-in-law, Linda G. Kyle; as well as many other family members, friends and co-workers and staff at T.G. Mercer Co, Teamsters at Local 657 in San Antonio, teamsters from Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma Locals and others all across the USA. Neil loved working with all of you. He left nothing unsaid. He loved his men and his work. In his words $#@%^&* LOL. We love and respect you Neil Grace. Rest In Peace.

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