Howard O'Neal Aylor, Jr.

Howard O’Neal Aylor, Jr “Neal”, 76, of San Angelo, passed away on June 9, 2019 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born in Victoria, Texas on May 19, 1943 to Marie and Howard O’Neal Aylor, Sr. As a youth in San Angelo, Neal was active in scouting, earning the God & Country award and achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Neal graduated from Central High School in 1961, and married Norma Kaye Chaney in 1962. They were blessed with three children during their marriage. He joined the Army in 1962 and served 3 years, with 13 months stationed in Germany. After active duty, he returned to San Angelo and started a career with Levi Strauss, Inc. During the twelve years with Levi Strauss, he relocated to Roswell, New Mexico, El Paso and Amarillo, Texas, eventually managing five facilities, three sewing factories, and two cutting rooms. Early in his career at Levi’s, he became known as a “fixer” and was instrumental in making each facility more profitable. After his time with Levi’s, he returned to San Angelo in 1977 and soon started his own business, Aylor Landscape Services, Inc which has been a thriving business for the past 40+ years. Several of his projects included landscaping the new Shannon Hospital, Shannon’s Women’s & Children Hospital and the new Oncology Building, as well as the Bank of San Angelo and numerous private residences. He so loved his clients over the years that he “never considered them as clients, but as friends”. He often said he loved his job so much that when he went to bed at night, he couldn’t wait to get up to start the next day. Part of his legacy lies in the beauty and color he brought to San Angelo through his landscape designs. When watering became an issue in the Concho Valley, he was one of the first to introduce xeriscaping and rock work into the landscape. It was a natural move as he was a collector of cactus and succulents. For years, he collected common and rare cactus and succulent species. He was a member of the San Antonio Cactus and Succulent Club and the Austin Cactus and Succulent Club. For years, Neal was called upon to judge the annual cactus show in San Antonio. His knowledge of the plants was extensive and he was well respected in both clubs as well as regional and national associations. Neal met his wife Vivian while working at Levi Strauss in Amarillo, they were married in May of 1978 and had one son. In May of 2018, Neal and Vivian traveled to Paris to celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary followed by a five-city tour of Europe. Neal was a voracious reader, he loved to travel, scuba dive, snow ski, play chess, fish with his brothers, but most of all, he loved to plant, propagate, and share his cactus and succulents. Neal is survived by his wife, Vivian, his pug Riddick; two sons, Neal Aylor III and wife Glenda of San Angelo, and Mark Aylor and fiancé Karen Tibbets of Denver, Colorado; two daughters, Sheryl Briels and husband William of San Angelo, and Jennifer Kessler and husband Bill of Sarasota, Florida; two brothers, Kemper Aylor and wife Patricia of San Angelo, and Don Aylor and wife Donna of San Angelo, one sister, Karen Wells and husband Michael of San Angelo, a special sister-in-law, Carla Kujawski, two grandsons, Neal Aylor IV and Kyle Aylor both of San Angelo, one granddaughter, Tori Stubbs of Water Valley, two great grandchildren, Aiden and Addi Stubbs of Water Valley, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Elizabeth Marie Aylor, a brother, Owen Kyle Aylor, and his parents H.O. and Marie Aylor. Thank you to all who sent cards to Neal during his battle, he appreciated each and every one he received. Many thanks to all his many angels who helped him through his most difficult days. A memorial service will be held at 10 AM, Friday June 14, 2019 at First Christian Church located at 29 N. Oakes, with T.J. Shoop-York officiating. The eulogy will be delivered by long-time friend and hunting buddy, Dr. Johnny Burkhalter. A reception for family and friends will follow in Fellowship Hall. Memorial donations in lieu of flowers may be made to the Owen Kyle Aylor Scholarship fund at Angelo State University, San Angelo, Texas, or to a charity of donor’s choice.