Mr. K. Neal Poteat, age 68, of Marion, passed away Monday, September 22, 2008 at Memorial Mission Hospital.  A native of McDowell County Neal was born June 27, 1940 and was a son of the late Kenneth Justice Poteat and Hazel Bost Poteat of Marion.  Neal was former President and Owner of Machine Services, Inc. in Pleasant Gardens.  He was president of NC Walking Horse Association, Board of Directors of Tennessee Walking Horse, Breeders and Exhibitors Association, a member of  McDowell County Saddle and Bridle Club. A member of Masonic Lodge, Mystic Tie Lodge #237. Neal was a veteran of the US Navy and was also a former volunteer for the Glenwood Fire Department. His family will remember him as a devoted and loving husband, a father for his sons to look up to and a loving and caring grandfather.  His family was his greatest passion.  He was a very hardworking and fulfilled man and he also had a love for his many horses.
 
Surviving  Neal, in addition to his mother,  are his wife of 47 years, Elizabeth Hennessee Poteat, of the home; two sons, Bernie Poteat and wife Anne of Flowery Branch, GA and Mike Poteat of Glenwood; three sisters, Annette Bryant of Marion, Eleanor Evans of Atlanta, GA and Christine Poteat of Glenwood and three grandchildren, Kristen, Jake and Taylor.
 
A funeral service will be held Friday, September 26, 2008 at 4:00 pm in Glenwood Baptist Church with Rev. Jim Brewer officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 3:00 ˆ 4:00 pm, at the church.  Interment will be in Glenwood Cemetery with military graveside rites provided by the US Navy.   In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 1332 N. Halstead St., Suite 201, Chicago, IL 60622 or Glenwood Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1465, Marion, N. C. 28752.
 
Westmoreland Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
An online register is available under OBITUARIES at www.westmorelandfuneralhome.com