John Larry McNeill was surrounded by his family when he went home to be with the Lord on April 11, 2026 after a short battle with lung cancer.
He was born April 16, 1949 in Richmond County to John and Mabel McNeill.
He is survived by his wife, Diane McNeill, of 41 years; siblings Anne Blalock, Craig McNeill (Ellen), Kathy Crouch (Jeff) and Melanie McNeill; three children, Shannon McIntrye (Clay), Rodney Gandy and Tanya Gandy Wilson; five grandchildren, Caley Taylor (Eric), Corey Wilson (Aaron), Colton Wilson (Alexis), Ashley McLean (Taylor), and a special granddaughter, Autumn Sheppard; and eight great-grandchildren. He was also survived by his two fur babies, Kayla and Paysley.
Preceding him in death were his mom and dad, John and Mabel McNeill.
Larry served his country for two years in the Navy after the Vietnam War. An avid NASCAR fan, Larry was chief of security for Rockingham Speedway and Rockingham Dragway. Larry also was chief of security for FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital-Richmond and a captain for the former Cameron-Morrison Prison and worked for a sheriff’s department and several police departments.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 starting at 11:30 a.m. at Sweet Haven Church on Midway Road in Rockingham. Funeral services will follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Tommy Blackwell, the Rev. Kane McKenzie and the Rev. Robbie Stewart officiating. The family will also receive friends at their home in Rockingham at other times.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Cancer Society (Relay for Life), P.O. Box 6704 Hagerstown, MD 21741; or Richmond County Hospice, 1119 U.S. Hwy. 1 N Rockingham, NC 28379.
Online condolences may be made at watson-kingfuneralhome.com. Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the McNeill family.
