John Neal Hand

John Neal Hand, age 87, of Elm Mott, passed away early Saturday afternoon, December 15, 2012 at West Rest Haven in West. Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday at White Rock Cemetery near Ross, with Msgr. Isidore Rozycki officiating. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Mr. Hand was born November 2, 1925 in Glendale, Arizona the son of John and Lemmer (Hall) Hand. He attended school in Connally. He served his country with the United States Navy during World War II. On August 19, 1947 he was united in marriage to Edythe B. Goff in Priscilla. She preceded him in death on June 28, 2004. John worked for General Tire and Rubber Company in Waco for over 30 years before retiring in 1981. He was also a carpenter, farmer and rancher. John was a member of the General Tire Retiree's Association and AARP. He enjoyed being outdoors and tending his vegetable garden, growing hothouse tomatoes, and especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. John is also preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Wallace Hand and Leslie Hand; and a sister, Gladys Simmons. Survivors include three sons, John M. Hand and wife Brenda Jo of Waco, Barry L. Hand and wife Reyna of West and Jim Hand and wife Gladys of Elm Mott; a daughter, Brenda Ann Jones and husband Milton of Elm Mott; a brother, Ernest Hand and wife Anne; a sister, Louise Muchow; a brother-in-law, Olen Simmons; a sister-in-law, Norma Hand; 11 grandchildren; 12 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to White Rock Cemetery Association. The family would like to thank everyone at West Rest Haven that took care of "Popa Hand."