Neal Lawrence Hartgrove, 55, passed in peace Sunday, August 2, 2020, at UNC Memorial Hospital in Chapel Hill.

Neal was born in Decatur AL, the son of the late Earl and Louise Hartgrove.  Neal served 2 years in the US Army at Schofield Barracks, HI. He then earned a BS in Computer Science at NC A&T State University (an HBCU) on a minority scholarship and GI Bill.  Neal’s 29-year engineering career in system testing, evaluation and verification started with 15 years at Nortel Networks and culminated as a Senior Software Test and Automation Engineer with Xylem, Inc in RTP.

Neal was an active and faithful member of Highland Baptist Church in Raleigh where he served as a deacon, and an audiovisual team member. Neal frequently volunteered with the NC Baptist Men’s Association with disaster relief efforts. Neal’s dedication to serving God and HIS church was an inspiration to his children, his brothers, and those around him.  He will best be remembered by his family for vacations at the beach; fishing; golfing; 24/7 computer tech phone support; junkyard wars from his garage scrap collection; paintball massacre; and hours of “rocking out” on Guitar Hero.  In addition, Neal enjoyed sharing his skills of regular automotive and home maintenance with his children and their friends.

He is survived by his wife, Judy Hartgrove; son, Benjamin Hartgrove of Garner; daughter, Beverly Hartgrove of Cary; two brothers, Gordon Hartgrove and wife Eva, of  Evansville  IN; Alan Hartgrove and wife Lisa, of Danville VA; sister-in-law, Diana Hartgrove,  of Evansville IN; and his uncle Jerry Hartgrove of Taunton, MA.  Neal is preceded in death by his oldest brother Earl Hartgrove; and sister, Alicia Hartgrove.

There will be a celebration of life service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, August 29, 2020, at Highland Baptist Church, 8524 Crowder Rd., Raleigh, NC

The family requests that masks be worn and social distancing be observed during the service.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.wrightfs.com.

Wright Funerals-Cremations is in charge of arrangements.

Memorials may be given to NC Baptist Men’s Association in lieu of flowers.