Dr. Neal Tindol

October 8, 1954 - July 27, 2024

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Neal Tindol, 69, was born on October 8th, 1954, to R.D. “Doc” Tindol and Myrt Norwood Tindol in Big Spring, Texas.
Neal attended Big Spring High School, graduating in 1973. He was a member of the FFA, Berea Baptist Church, and Boy Scouts.
After graduating, while awaiting acceptance to vet school, Neal attended Texas Tech University, where he earned several degrees in Agriculture and education. He became the 4-H County Extension Agent in Castro County. Neal worked with high school students to better their preparedness to enter college with Agriculture majors in mind.
Neal was accepted to Texas A&M, where he earned his Veterinary Sciences degree. He specialized in both small and large animals. Upon graduation, he moved to San Angelo and practiced for several years. He moved back to Big Spring and worked at Sierra Animal Clinic, eventually turning it into his own practice. His clients loved the care and attention he gave their beloved pets. He was praised for his beautiful stitches, especially coming from his “chubby little fingers”. Neal truly found his calling and gave his all to the clinic, often taking dogs home over nights and weekends, to keep an extra eye on them. Neal was the vet for the Big Spring Rodeo for many years.
Neal sacrificed holidays to be on-call so the other vets in town could spend the holidays with their families. Though he was always called during these holidays, he always made sure to be there for Christmas morning presents and breakfast, often wearing scrubs still showing evidence of an early morning call. Usually, he would only get to spend a little time before another call came in.
Neal loved hunting, fishing, and golf. He loved nothing more than golfing with his buddies and family, Doc, Tony, John, and Skipper. Neal also loved trips to Las Vegas with his best friend, Randy Boeckman. He was an avid antique collector. He would find treasures near and far, including sleighs, wagons, and surreys, that he regularly loaned for parades and Christmas décor in local businesses. Neal also had a one-in-a-lifetime partner, Echo, a blue merle Australian Shephard who was his baby. Echo went everywhere Neal went; protecting the truck, loving on the children Neal worked with in 4H, and providing unconditional love and friendship.
Neal was ornery, stubborn, had a great sense of humor, flirted as often as possible, loyal friend, and loved to chide his family. He loved photography and found his niece and nephews, fabulous subjects. He doted on them by making sure there were always horses, dune buggies, and 4-wheelers to ride. He loved to spend the time he could with his niece and nephews, making memories that will last their lifetimes.
Neal was met with open arms by those who passed before him. He is pre-deceased by grandparents, Bill and Della Norwood, parents, R.D. (Doc) and Myrt Tindol, brother-in-law and friend, Tony Goeke, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Neal is survived by his sister, Karen Tindol Goeke; brother, Rogan Tindol, DVM, and wife, Lisa; nephews, Greg Goeke, wife Heather, Will Tindol, wife Allie; niece, Kimberly Blaine, husband Chris; great-niece, Piper Goeke; great-nephews, Warren, Wylie, and Blaylock Tindol; uncle James Norwood and wife Margie, and aunts, Sue Tindol, Nell Thames, and Mattie Norwood. He has many cousins who will truly miss him and have spent many years caring for him; Karyl Dunne, husband Jerry, Kelly Priebe, Bob Priebe, and Lynde Thames. Thank you, guys, so much for all you have done for him! Special thanks to Lonnie and Gary Prater for the day-to-day care, companionship, and selfless love you showed to Neal for the last several years. Also, thank you to Phyllis Smith for caring for Neal and your everlasting friendship.
Neal will always be remembered for his sense of humor, love of family and learning, and ability to live life by his own rules. As he always said, “adios!”
A Celebration of Life will be held at Kokopelli’s Event Center on Saturday, August 31st at 4pm. All are welcome to come and celebrate Neal’s life.
Kokopelli’s Event Center
4007 Chaparral Road
Big Spring, TX 79720
Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at ww.npwelch.com.

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We send our deepest sympathies to the family at this time. He will definitely be missed. Love you Dr. Neal !!!

I am so sorry to hear about Neal. My late husband and I thought the world of Neal. He would always help us with our cats. I remember one time that we took one of our cats to him and even though we found out later the cat had been shot and we had to have him put to sleep. The point is when we got there, there was a diesel truck we had parked next to that had started up. It scared our cat and he bit clean through my husband's thumb. I ran in and told Neal what happened. He got a shot ready for the cat and when he was going to give the cat a shot, he said I can't tell which is your hand or the cat cause there was too much blood. My husband said, I don't care where you give the shot, just shoot amongst us cause I got to have relief. Neal just aimed and a miracle happened, he got out cat the sedative instead of my husband. He even doctored my husband's thumb since he was hurt by our cat.

So very sorry for your loss. Neal's obituary was a very special tribute to his life in every way. May our Heavenly give comfort to each of his loved ones and friends in all the days ahead. Sincerely, Dorothy Rogers

When Neal first came to Big Spring, we knew immediately that we had a new vet. It might have taken a visit or two more to realize we had a friend in Neal Tindol. I could tell a story or two but I’ll just say this: the first dog Carl Wayne and i had together got very sick. She was our baby and Neal did all he could. She was on the mend when she had a stroke. We were heartbroken, called Neal (after hours) and he came to the house , said there was nothing we could do. He took her to the clinic. Carl Wayne was digging her grave when Neal brought her home. Neal grabbed a shovel (in the middle of July and so hot) and helped dig. He shed a few tears with us and told us about his heart dog. We left Big Spring in 2008 and the big thing we hated to leave was our vet. We will miss you, Neal. Obviously, God needed a vet at the Rainbow Bridge - He only takes the best.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.