Neal Jefferson Faulk

Neal Faulk ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Smith Funeral Home-Keyser Chapel on Mar. 9, 2026.Neal Jefferson Faulk, 76, of Keyser, puffed his last Marlboro on March 5, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones who were all standing by his side when he took his last breath on this great earth.Whether you knew him as Neal, Butch, Dad, Brother, Uncle, Cousin, most knew him as Pappy. Often called "Hard-Head" by those who loved him, he was the strongest and toughest man on the planet as he showed this to us each and every day he fought the pain. A broken back playing football and getting hit by train never killed him, may have slowed him down a little, but he never stopped!!!!!!Dad's pain started in 1990 when his dad, our Pap, Olan "Buck" Faulk, passed away. Pap was the backbone of the family, and Dad assumed that role by investing his life into our family, no matter what. This was the first time I ever saw him shed a tear. Dad lost part of his soul and will to live on April 7, 2004, when his loving Wife and our mom, Nancy L. "Sagal" Faulk, passed away unexpectedly and left us to pick up the pieces. As life progressed, Dad fought through everything life threw at him. He continued to work, own and operate Faulk Bros. Scrap Yard, with 2 of his best friends and brothers, William J. Faulk and Benny J. Faulk, who he both watched fight the good fight and pass away doing what they loved. During the fight that the family worked and lived through, Dad lived through the loss of his youngest son, Bradley J. Faulk, who succumbed to his demons and passed away unexpectedly. In the midst of everything, one morning Dad made the statement to me over coffee and a smoke, "Not today, Clint, just not today". That day was when his mom and our Gram- Justina Faulk, passed away on his wife Nancy's, our mom's Birthday. I found myself making that same statement when Dad passed away, "Not today, Dad, just not today" as hepassed away on my birthday, which I will never forget the best years of my life he gave me and the family.I would be foolish not to mention all of his friends and other loved ones that passed and hurt during his life. Dad was always there to comfort when needed, buy you a cold beer after a long hard day and a voice reason when times got tough. He was a mentor to many, RESPECTED by everyone, and when he spoke, most people listened. Sometimes you may not have liked what he said, but he was honest, true to the heart and was seldom wrong.Dad loved sports, all sports, but wrestling was one of his most cherished pastimes. Wresting took him on many adventures over the years, from coaching the first youth teams in Keyser, coaching High School during mine and B and officiating the sport at the highest level, the NCAA. He lived for wrestling season. He kept up with it and often talked about the new generation to hit the mat. If you were ever around him in a mat room or at match, you could see his passion expressed verbally as he was one of the best mat coaches you would ever see. He knew what was coming before the next guy and knew how to defend it. I will miss that, for sure. Dad loved to spend time at the Farm and spent countless hours hunting and walking the land. He taught several life lessons on the Farm and in his later years, he couldn't get around as good as he used to but still knew where the deer were at and put us in the right spots… thanks Dad!!!Dad's faith led him to being initiated as Master Mason in Davis Lodge #51. He took pride in following the path of his dad, Buck, in the Lodge and one of his proudest moments was when I took that path and was initiated as a Master Mason as well. So Mote It Be.Pappy leaves behind his most cherished family to live on in his legacy. His son, Clinton J. Faulk and wife Brandi- who he loved to gamble with at the Gun Bashes and buy Gushers at the VFW just because she loved to open them… His Daughter, Natalie L. Faulk and husband Bobby Reynolds- who he thought the world of for being there for his daughter when she needed it the most and bringing life back into her soul. It would be wrong of me just to say this any other way, but Pappy had 2 very special grandkids who were more like a son and daughter as Dad raised them, and they lived with him all their lives. Nevaeh L. Faulk and very special friend Brandon Spears- who is her rock and will forever hold a special place in our hearts and Leland J. Faulk & their cat Saint- the cat who he loved to hate. Pappy loved all of his grandkids and had special relationships with each of them in their own special ways- Makena Faulk, Braydon Keller, Jake McCoy, Clayton Faulk, Paige McCoy and Wesley Reynolds- the Hippy. Pappy was blessed with a Great-Grandson River Faulk to carry on the generation. As life is always a mystery and takes unexpected turns, Pappy inherited a special granddaughter he grew to love, Sophia Glass. His oldest brother Olan J Faulk and wife Libby, sister Jean Marshall, brother Bob J Faulk and wife Sarah. Living on to remember his legacy are all of his very loved nephews and nieces whom he shared a very special bond with him. Left to remember him are all of his friends at the VFW, his 2nd home, whom all cared for Pappy in their own special ways. One thing about Pappy if he liked ya, he liked ya, if he didn't, he didn't- someone prove me wrong!!!! Lol…A wise man once told me, "There is a time and place for every man to die, if I only knew that time and place, I would stay the hell away from it"… Dad spoke this often to me as his Pap and Dad told him this regularly in their later years. In selfish act, I wish he would have stayed away from Thursday, March 5th, but God needed help, Mom and Bradley needed him home to help ease his pain. Dad is not in any more pain and his suffering is over… We love you Dad… The sound westerns on Grit TV and the smell of a Marlboro will forever be embedded in hearts, ears and noses!!!!Dad does not want any traditional services as he was not one to want ANYONE to hover over him. To be honest, Dad, in a suit, in a coffin, just is not him, as he would say "No, No and Hell NO!!!!"… His choice is cremation and his love to be spread equally. He wants to be placed beside Mom and on the Farm as his final resting spots. These are wishes we will follow…The family will plan a Celebration soon, to cherish his life, laugh at his jokes, maybe a Coor's Light or 2… Ewwwww, nasty!!! We want to thank everyone who stopped by the house to see him, took time out of their lives to say hi and always asked about him wherever we were at. This means more to us than you will ever know…The Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, Keyser, is in charge of the arrangements.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.