The South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center are honoring Judge Loyd Neal and Thetis Neal at its annual fundraiser, Moonlight in the Garden. The exotic event begins at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 at the Solomon P. Ortiz Center. Courtesy photo
Nueces County Judge Loyd Neal and his wife, Thetis, are being honored at this year’s Moonlight in the Garden, the annual fundraising event for the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center in Corpus Christi. Dancing and dinner, along with parrots, iguanas, patio party, live auction, and two silent auctions begin at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12 at the Solomon P. Ortiz International Center, 402 Harbor Drive.
Neal is being honored for his 30 years of public service, including three gubernatorial appointments, four terms as Mayor of Corpus Christi, three as Nueces County Judge, and numerous civilian, military and Texas A&M University honors. Neal is stepping down as county judge at the end of this year.
A former insurance agent, Neal was a professor at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he also served on the President’s Council. He served on the President’s Council at TAMU-College Station, and at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi as well. He retired in 1989 as a Colonel in the Army Reserve after 30 years in the active Army and Army Reserve Service.
Neal has served on the boards of directors for Driscoll Children’s Hospital, Coastal Bend Blood Center, and the Municipal League, among others. He was chairman of the boards of the Corpus Christi Area Economic Development Corporation, Texas Municipal League, South Texas Military Facilities Task Force, Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce, Art Museum of South Texas, Corpus Christi Rotary Club, and Leadership Corpus Christi Alumni, among others.
Governor George W. Bush appointed him to the Texas Defense Economic Adjustment Advisory Commission and to the Texas Strategic Military Planning Commission. Governor Rick Perry appointed him to the Texas Military Preparedness Commission twice.
Neal's list of honors and awards are too long to list. They include awards from Texas A&M University, the Boy Scouts of America, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, NAACP, American GI Forum, and the Corpus Christi Chamber of Commerce. Military Decorations include Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal w/cluster, National Defense Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, and many more.
He and his wife have two children: son Loyd Neal III, who is practicing law in Houston; and daughter Ann Margaret, a retired school teacher.
On the night of the event, Wes Hoskins will run the live auction. State Rep. Todd Hunter (R-Corpus Christi) will serve as emcee. Live music will be provided by Flashback.
