Dr. James Utah McNeal

Dr. James Utah McNeal
October 19, 1931 – November 30, 2017

Dr. James U. McNeal, peacefully passed away November 30, 2017, surrounded by family and friends. Jim, as many knew him, was born October 19, 1931 in Duncan, Oklahoma, and lived his childhood in Lawton, Oklahoma. His parents Cecil C. McNeal and Mary H. McNeal, his brother Billy Ray McNeal, his daughter, Lisa McNeal, preceded him in death.

Jim enlisted in the US Navy in 1951. After four years of service, Jim pursued his interest in education and went on to graduate from Texas A&I University (BBA), and The University of Texas (MBA & PhD). Dr. McNeal spent the majority of his life as a marketing professor at Texas A&M University, with a career spanning from 1967 to his retirement in 2000. He then worked as a visiting professor at Peking University’s, Guanghua School of Management from 2001 to 2005. Dr. McNeal was a pioneer in the field of children’s marketing.

When not focused on work, Jim enjoyed traveling the world experiencing other cultures. Hunting and fishing were lifelong hobbies that forged a bond with he and his sons. Photography and painting were also activities he enjoyed. His belief in God was clear, as were maintaining life-long friendships. He was an amazing and doting grandfather, who will be dearly missed.

Three adult children survive Jim, Dr. Catherine J. McNeal (Ronald MacFarlane), James Scott McNeal, and Chad C. McNeal (Stacy McNeal), granddaughters, Dr. Caitlin MacFarlane, Faith McNeal and grandson, Reed McNeal. He leaves behind many dear friends and family.

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Condolences

    • Thank you Romeo for doing so much for my dad. You have done so much, and you are an amazing friend just as my dad always said about you.
      Chad

  1. Dr.McNeal was my professor and MBA degree granting committe member in1970.
    He was a motivator,challenger and friend ,to his students,and a true example of academic professionalism.
    After years of no contact ,largely due to my career,he and I renewed our friendship after my return to Texas.
    I felt honored with his recall of a humble student,who contacted him after some twenty years of absence.My most sincere condolences,with respect and admiration of a great professor and friend.
    Edmond S.Solymosy, MBA’70,BGeneral,USA,ret.

    MBA,1970
    General,USA,ret.

  2. I first learnt of Jim in 1979 via a published paper when I started on a part-time PhD in Marketing whilst working for Kodak in the UK. Two years later we met at College Station after I made a visit to Eastman Kodak and then a few years later in London. Whilst in the US I heard of his pastoral work at A & M which he undertook voluntarily in parallel to his other work. His concern for the well being of students was clear. He was always very supportive and encouraging throughout my PhD research and I will always be grateful for that. We maintained contact over the years and I number him amongst my dearest friends. He was a gentleman in the truest sense and I regard it as a privilege to have known him. We will not see his like again. May God bless you and keep you, Jim.

  3. I am a collaborative researcher of Prof James McNeal in Hong Kong. He shared with me generously stories about research on children and marketing, and gave me great advice on publishing. We had a press conference releasing our findings on children and advertising in China.

    He is wise, kind, and patient.

    I missed him.

    Kara Chan, Hong Kong Baptist University

    • Kara,
      Thank you for the thoughts. It’s amazing to know how many great people all around the world my dad has worked with.
      Thank you,
      Chad McNeal

  4. I got in contact with the work of Prof. McNeal in 1999 when I was doing my master thesis, and his way of viewing it touched me so deeply that I decided to choose this area as my research area in the future. I contacted him when I was doing my PhD in 2004 and worked with him for a while, and he accepted the invitation to come to Portugal and be a keynote speaker in a conference in April 2008.
    After that we continued in contact at least once a year when I sent him birthday greetings.
    I felt really moved to know that he had passed away and it is a great loss in terms of his knowledge, and his passion for the field. He inspired lots of researchers and is still my inspiration.
    My condolences to the family and you can be sure that his work is a huge legacy for the entire world. God bless you and RIP Prof. McNeal.

    • Thank you Luisa for sharing your thoughts. It’s nice to hear that my dad was very influential in your life. I do remember him talking about how good of a time he had in Portugal.

      Thank you,
      Chad McNeal

  5. So sorry to read of Dr. McNeal’s passing. I based my Master’s thesis at LSU on his Dissertation on children’s participation in the consumer role. I still have the microfilm copy. I just realized after reading the obit that the children I interviewed for the study were from his home town. My former husband was stationed at Ft. Sill at the time. What a coincidence. I had always wanted to meet him in person. My best to your family.

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