James Robert McNeil

James R. McNeil, age 85, transitioned from this life October 16, 2025.  James was born April 20, 1940, to the late Katherine Odell and Robert McNeil in Freeport, Florida.  James attended school in Walton County and graduated from Tivoli High School class of 1958.  James had various careers throughout his lifetime.  He most enjoyed his career as a musician.  His passion was the drums, but he also played a mean saxophone.  James left home at a very young age to follow his dream of becoming a professional musician.  He played in bands for some of the best singers from the 50’s and 60’s, including singers like James Brown, Etta James, Ike and Tina Turner, Jackie Wilson and he was a stand in for the Eagles band.  He loved telling stories of his Chitlin Circuit days and of all the singers he met.  He was not big on going to church, but he loved God, and he read his bible often.  He had a saying, “the relationship I have with God is me and God’s business”.

James is preceded in death by his parents and several aunts and uncles.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his daughter, Debra McNeil; aunts, Mary Hall, Phillis Campbell, Bertha Campbell and Janet Campbell; special cousins, Angela Lindsey and Kendall West; God daughter, Ashley View; along with a host of cousins that call him Uncle James.

A time of visitation will be held Friday, October 31, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home.  Funeral services will be held Saturday, November 1, 2025 in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 State Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida, beginning at 2:00 p.m.  Committal services will follow in Magnolia Cemetery.

Arrangements and services are under the direction of Davis-Watkins of DeFuniak Springs.