Obituary of Neal Frisbie

It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Neal Frisbie, 63, of Ocala, FL. Neal was born February 19, 1958, in New Orleans. Those who knew Neal knew that he was an avid train enthusiast. He was one of the founding members of the Ocala Model Railroaders formed in 1996 and was seen frequently at their annual “Trains at the Holidays” event at the Webber Center at College of Central Florida for 23 years. He was a long-standing member of the National Model Railroad Association. In 2011 Neal became Head Train Engineer and Director of Railroad Operations at Kirby Family Farm where guests young and old affectionately knew him as “Papa Choo Choo.”

He spent countless hours researching and creating exact models of Six Gun Territory and the Ocala Union Train Station. Neal enjoyed camping, traveling to various States in the US, tinkering with anything he could get his hands on, gardening, and of course building model railroads and displays. He loved antiques, classic cars and preserving historical relics through photography. He was also a loyal NASCAR and FL Gators fan. Neal enjoyed volunteering his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

He is preceded in death by his parents Fred Frisbie and Josie Wood Jones, stepfather Max Jones and granddaughter Brianna Bleau. Survivors include his loving wife of 43 years, Bebe Frisbie of Ocala, daughters Paula (Robby) Bleau of Astor and Kristen (Eric) Frisbie-Hoose of Apex, NC; brother Dale Frisbie of Ocala, sister Traci Jenkins of Ocala; grandchildren Michael Bleau, Rowan Hoose, Robert Bleau III, Taylor Bleau; several great grandchildren; and many other friends and family.

Funeral Services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, September 8, 2021, at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Services, Ocala, 910 E Silver Springs, Blvd. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Donations may be made to the Ocala Model Railroaders’ Historic Preservation Society, www.ocalamodelrailroaders.com or Kirby Family Farm in Williston, www.kirbyfarm.com. Online condolences may be left at www.hiers-baxley.com