Neal Howard Kirkman was born on March 28, 1968, in Benkelman, Nebraska to Leslie Ivan and Phyllis Nadine (Howard) Kirkman. He passed away unexpectedly on January 26, 2026, at the Butler County Health Care Center with his wife, Britaney by his side at the age of 57 years, 9 months and 29 days.

Neal grew up in the little community of Max, Nebraska. He attended and graduated from Benkelman High School with the Class of 1986. Neal then attended the University of Nebraska – Lincoln for a couple of years before he began his career in auto body and painting. He eventually started his own business, Superior Body and Paint in Lincoln. He moved to Brainard in 2003, where he built his own home and shop. Neal continued his business there until his untimely passing. On February 24, 2022, Neal and Britaney were married in Las Vegas at the top of the Stratosphere, because he loved the view from there.

Neal enjoyed attending concerts, gardening and keeping their plants alive. He loved fishing, his dogs and just being outdoors, whether it was in the mountains or on the beach as well as anything in between. Neal was not fond of sitting around and he always kept busy doing something; he could fix or build anything.

Neal was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Phyllis Kirkman and several aunts and uncles.

Survivors cherishing Neal's memory include his wife, Britaney Hulbert; his three dogs, Shadow, Stormi and Marley; and numerous cousins.