Terry Norval McNeal, age 74, of Elko New Market, passed away on Thursday, March 30, 2023. A Time of Gathering to honor Terry will be held from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Friday, April 7, 2023, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake). Interment will take place at a later date at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, MPLS.
Terry Norval was born on May 24, 1948, to Norval and Mildred (Hansen) McNeal in Minneapolis, MN. Growing up in Bloomington, MN with his four siblings, Terry began his mischievous life, playing pranks and enjoying life at an early age. When he turned 17, Terry decided to enlist in the United States Army, where he would serve honorably for 24 years. A part of a generational military family, he served proudly in Vietnam, earning two Silver Stars as well as a Combat Expert Field Medical Badge (CEFMB). He was also a part of the 82 nd Airborne. This allowed him and his family to travel all over the country. Later in his Army career, Terry served as an Instructor at a Military school in Kansas and later became a Station Commander in Recruiting until his retirement from the Military. When he retired from his service, he worked for some time with Walser Mazda, selling cars and eventually working as a Finance Manager.
While Terry was stationed in Kansas, he met and married Gayla and together, they were blessed with two children, Kelli and Chad, before eventually going their separate ways. Terry loved his kids and his grandkids, taking them out on the boat, riding golf carts and four wheelers and continuing the tradition of pranks. He was a Father figure to many, and enjoyed chatting with anyone that was willing. Terry loved golfing, fishing, horses, and dressage competitions and riding his Harley. He also enjoyed spending time with his extended adoptive family at the Doublewide, playing cribbage and cracking jokes with his friends.
Outgoing, charismatic, and always strong-willed, Terry will be greatly missed by his daughter, Kelli McNeal; grandchildren, Tyler, Alexis, Isaiah, and Elijah; siblings, Melainey Schrot, Lynn Skarhus, and Dean McNeal; and many other loving family and friends.
He is preceded in death by his son, Chad McNeal; parents, Mildred and Norval McNeal; and brother, Jim McNeal.
