PAUL "EARS" MCNEAL, 87, surrounded by family, slipped away quietly to be with his sports friends in heaven. He was the son of the late Thomas and Mamie McNeal. He attended St. Mary's School and Massanutten Military Academy. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945-1947. He retired as a supervisor at Victor Cullen Training School. He is survived by daughters, Paula McNeal (John Beck) and JoAnne Papa (Fred); grandsons, Jamie Rice, Scottie Rice (Jenna), and Trevor Hollinger (Staci); great grandchildren, Emelin Scott Rice and Trey Daniel Hollinger; brother, Thomas McNeal; his loving companion and guardian angel, Joni Ecton and her children, Tammi Itnyre, John Cauffman (Dawn); grandchildren, John Cauffman (Jess) , Jacob Cauffman , Noah Cauffman and Libby Anderson; great grandchildren, Alyssa, Bentley, Gage, Brynnlee, Kinsley, and Jacob, Jr. His sisters Eileen and Marguerite, and brother William preceded him in death. He was a 50 year lifetime member of the Elks Lodge 378, American Legion for 42 years, the VFW, IABBO Basketball Officials, and lifetime member of the Associated Baseball Players of America, and Washington County Sports Hall of fame where he was inducted in 1988. He refereed high school and college basketball for 6 decades, over 3, 000 games. He ref'd his last game at age 65, North Hagerstown High against Williamsport High. Baseball was always the center of his life. He worked for the Baltimore Orioles organization for 32 years. Scouting, coaching and instructing at spring training from 1957-1979. He coached the Hagerstown Suns from 1981-1989. He and Grady Little were the only Suns coach and manager that had a championship team. He caught for the Hagerstown Packers, a minor league team for the Washington Senators in 1955. He coached HJC baseball team (25-5) in 1989 before coming a scout for the Cleveland Indians. He coached for the Cal Ripkin Baseball camp for many years. He was awarded a Baltimore Orioles World Series championship ring in 1983. He stated many times he wished he had a dollar for every fungo ball he hit Billy and Cal Ripkin. One of his fondest memories was when the Orioles played a game at Municipal Stadium in 1985. This was a preseason game against the Hagerstown Suns. The suns Team and the Orioles flew together from spring training. He managed a Funkstown American Legion Baseball Team in the 1950's. He coached Hub city Basketball League in the 1950's. He was an avid golfer. He was a member of Beaver Creek Country Club from many years, and following retirement, worked at Black Rock Golf Course. He and Joe Suranno were the first Marshalls. Service will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at Minnich Funeral Home, 415 E. Wilson Blvd. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery. Military honors will be provided at the cemetery by American Legion Morris Frock Post 42. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hagerstown Elks Lodge No 378 Youth Activities, 11063 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, Maryland 21742.