Louisiana Horseman Neal McFadden Dies

Louisiana Horseman Neal McFadden passed away on February 23.

© Courtesy LTBA

Proceeded in death by his parents, Elgin McFadden, Sr. and Ruby Wilks McFadden, his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. W.I. Wilks, and his paternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. R.P. McFadden, a brother, Richard “Buddy” McFadden and a nephew, Ben McFadden.

He leaves behind his wife of 30 years, Mary McFadden, a brother, Elgin McFadden, Jr., a sister-in-law, Sue McFadden, and stepson, John Silva, nephews Michael McFadden, wife Sheri, Joe McFadden, wife Christy, nieces, Surmartha Wallace, husband Jim, Abby Cates, husband Steve, Cynthia Simmons, husband Ron. Nieces, Vanessa Menhennett, husband Chris, Chastity Adams, husband Chad, nephew Matt Brunson, wife Polly. He also leaves behind several great nieces and nephews and a great-great niece and four grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Neal was born on July 23, 1943, in Ruston, Louisiana. He attended A.E. Phillips Elementary School and graduated from Ruston High School in 1961. He then attended Louisiana Tech University and graduated with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1965. He began his career as a Pharmaceutical salesman and worked for Pfizer, Abbott Labs, and Beecham Pharmaceuticals.

In 1978, he established General Veterinary Supply in Lafayette, Louisiana, which he owned and operated along with his wife Mary for 30 years.

His association with horses in the veterinary supply business led to the establishment of McFadden Farm, where he and his wife raised Thoroughbred racehorses and running Quarter Horses along with his best friend and business partner, Jay Adcock, until he died. Neal had a passion for broodmares and foals. When he was active at the farm, he didn’t miss many foals coming into the world, being there for almost every delivery, which numbered into the hundreds.

Neal served on the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders board for 30 plus years, serving as President, First Vice President and Second Vice President. He served on the Breeders Cup Board for five years, and also served on the Animal Health Board of Louisiana. Retiring in Baker, Florida, he still stayed connected with his Louisiana bred horses and also enjoyed raising Tennessee Walking Horses, as well as Rocky Mountain Horses on his farm in Florida. He enjoyed trail riding with his wife, Mary, and their many friends. Neal never met a stranger; he made new friends everywhere he went.

Neal was raised in a Baptist church in Ruston, Louisiana, where he made friends who still visited and enjoyed attending church with him through the years, both in Lafayette, Louisiana, and at Good Hope Baptist, a sweet little country church in Escambia Farms, Florida.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Good Hope Baptist Church Building Fund, 1895 Olin Cotton Road, Baker, Florida 32531.