05/04/2018
Neal Aurie Thrift was born November 9, 1941 in Prague, Oklahoma to Aurie Thomas Thrift and Bessie Elder Thrift. Neal went through first grade in Red Oak, Oklahoma.
The family moved to Knoxville, IA where Neal began second grade and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1959. Neal graduated from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma in 1964.
Neal enjoyed traveling and reading, especially the history of the Civil War. One of his favorite vacations was driving through the northwest United States, he loved the mountains, particularly Angel Fire, NM where he and Nancy had a home for several years.
Neal also enjoyed European vacations and was in awe of the Austrian Alps.
Neal began working for Medicare in 1965 and left many years later as an Under-Secretary. Following that, he joined a different branch of government as a Federal Officer.
In 1981, he returned to Oklahoma as the Executive Director for the Oklahoma Foundation for Medical Quality. Later he began Neal Thrift and Associates, a consulting firm specializing in health care law at the federal level.
Neal married Nancy Thomson Thrift on April 22, 2000, in Santa Fe, NM. Together they traveled the world and enjoyed a big family get together’s in Red Oak, OK, Neal’s hometown.
In 1995 he and Nancy opened Rustling Winds Behavioral Health Centers, providing services to adults and children with behavioral health needs. Neal officially retired in 2007 (actually it was 2005, he just forgot to tell Nancy).
Neal Aurie Thrift died, Friday, May 4, 2018.
Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Aurie and Bessie Elder Thrift, and his son Ty Hiatt.
He is survived by his wife Nancy Thrift of Broken Arrow, OK, two daughters, Andrea Thrift Dunn and husband BJ of Oklahoma City, Kristal Thrift Wheeler and husband Johnny of Tulsa, OK, sons Tom Graves and wife Laurie of Tulsa, OK, Josh Graves and wife Leah of Broken Arrow, OK and Smokey Lyons and wife Lisa of Tecumseh, OK.
Neal has 14 grandchildren, Jamilyn and Rance Pride, Trey Dunn, Jake Westfall, Zach Westfall, Dylan Westfall, Joshua Wheeler, Kathryn Wheeler, Morgan Wheeler, Wyatt Wheeler, Jordan Graves, Jenna Graves, Ava Graves, Riley Lyons, and Kilie Lyons as well as his sister, Marilyn Thrift Grogan and husband Wayne.
Neal is a much-loved Husband, Dad, and Papa and will be forever missed.
Arrangements by
Floral Haven Funeral Home