Pastor Golden Eric Neal

Reverend Golden Eric Neal August 13, 1962 – June 14, 2026

Reverend Golden Eric Neal, a beloved United Methodist pastor, community leader, and advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, passed away on June 14, 2026, at age 63, from cancer. Throughout his life, Golden devoted himself to helping create communities, workplaces, places of worship, and public spaces where every person was welcomed, valued, respected, and given the opportunity to belong.

Born in Centralia, Washington, and raised in nearby Rochester, Golden was the first child of Robert “Bob” Leon Neal and Freddie Ree “The Senora” Neal, respected educators and community leaders whose lives of faith, service, and commitment to education profoundly shaped his own. He graduated from Rochester High School (2nd African American graduated in Rochester High School (K-12) and 1st African American elected ASB President in school history), He received BSA Troop 317 (Rochester) Eagle Scout Honor (1st African American in Rochester to earn this honor), attended Centralia College, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Manufacturing Engineering Technology from Western Washington University in Bellingham. He spent twelve years with Boeing’s Commercial Airplane division before answering God's call to ministry. Golden later earned his Master of Divinity from Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City.

As an ordained pastor in the Pacific Northwest Conference of The United Methodist Church, Golden faithfully served congregations in Spanaway, Federal Way, Olympia, Browns Point, Washougal, Central Park, Oakville, and McCleary. Following his pastoral appointments, he continued his ministry through youth leadership at Rochester United Methodist Church (his hometown church, and 2nd ever to go into the ministry from the same church), conference camping ministries, and community engagements throughout Thurston and Lewis Counties.

Golden believed that faith was expressed through service to others. In more recent years, he was an active member of the Thurston County NAACP, League of Women Voters (despite it’s name, the League is for everyone), Garden-Raised Bounty (GRuB), the Rebecca Howard Park Community Engagement Project and Black Heritage Cultural Program, and a founding member of the Thurston Forward Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging Summit. He was known for building bridges across communities and for creating spaces where people of all backgrounds felt seen, heard, and valued.

Golden was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Freddie Neal. He is survived by his brothers, Geoffrey Neal of Rochester, Washington, and Lobis Neal of Dallas, Texas, Freddie’s sister Dolores Blueford and cousin Arielle Davis, along with extended family, dear friends, colleagues in ministry, and countless lives touched by his compassion, wisdom, and faithful presence.

A viewing and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at First United Methodist Church, 1224 Legion Way SE, Olympia. Viewing begins at 12:00 noon, followed by the Celebration of Life service at 2:00 p.m. A luncheon reception will follow. The service will be livestreamed on the church's YouTube channel (link: https://www.youtube.com/live/-1fEQPERvwY). The burial will take place on Monday, July 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Grand Mound Cemetery in Rochester. There will be no formal graveside service, and all are welcome to attend.

Funeral Alternatives of Washington in Tumwater will host a memorial page in his honor. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the following organizations: Faith Foundation Northwest (Methodist), Rochester Public Schools, and ASHHO Cultural Community Center in Tumwater.