The sunrise of Michael Thomas McNeil, the fifth of six children born to Charles E. McNeil, Sr. and Julia (Taylor) McNeil was February 15, 1953. His sunset was February 27, 2010. He was preceded in death by his father, Charles, Sr. and his sister, Karon McNeil.
Michael received his education from Blessed Sacrament Elementary School, DeAndreis High School and graduated from Sumner High School in 1971. Michael had one son after high school with Ms. Alice Cross of St. Louis, MO.
He joined the USAF in 1971. After his honorable discharge, he moved to California in 1977, where he resided for approximately 30 years. While there, he met Ms. Deborah Lewis and together they had three children.
Michael was always known to have “the gift of gab”. He was a poet, a lover and a dreamer. Kids gravitated to him and loved him dearly. He was a giver with a “spirit” of joy. He loved to have fun and shoot pool. He truly had a fondness for and cherished “Old School” music.
Michael Thomas McNeil (aka MTL) leaves to cherish his memory: his mother, Julia McNeil; two sons, Andre Cross (St. Louis, MO) and Michael McNeil, Jr. (San Bernardino, CA); two daughters, Dalia and Brittany McNeil (San Bernardino, CA); six grandchildren: Asia and Alayna Cross (St. Louis, MO); A’nysti, Justus, and Seryniti Reece , and grandson, Michael Phillip Walker (San Bernardino, CA); three sisters, Sharon and Denise McNeil, Vicki (McNeil) Cotton; three aunts, Carrie Perry, Winnie Taylor, and Dorothy Taylor; and a host of cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends. He will be truly missed.