Family Still In Disbelief Over Shooting

By Lori Fullbright, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The family of Neal Sweeney talks about their loss.  Tulsa Police are still looking for the man who walked into Sweeney's east Tulsa office last week and shot him in the head.

The Sweeney family is close-knit, strong and heartbroken.  They never dreamed something like this could happen to a man who is loyal, kind, funny and loving.  To them, Neal Sweeney was much more than a successful businessman, he was a father, husband, and friend, someone they thought of as invincible.

His family is thankful for a lifetime of great memories.

"Yes, he played football. Yes, he was a good businessman, but what isn't said, is what a family man he was. He lived for his family, loved his family. He could be so silly and goofy. When he was with us, with his grandchildren, he made them feel like the most important people in the world," said Sweeney's daughter Lisa.

Neal met his wife Jan in college at TU.  They've been married nearly 40 years.  They made a wonderful family and life in Tulsa.

Neal is described as a loyal friend, a fitness buff and a man who liked silly hats and it's hard for them to believe he's gone.

"It's unbearable.  It's unfathomable that something like this could've happened to our family," said his daughter Lisa.

They say they are blessed to be a close-knit family and blessed to have the support of the community.  They say they can't thank Tulsans enough for their outpouring of love.  They believe catching the person responsible for the crime will keep others safe as well as help everyone move forward.

"We have to find who did this. We just ask anyone with any information to come forward because we all need to heal," said Sweeney's daughter Lisa.

The Sweeneys say the tragedy has taught them more than ever about the need to get together, to create memories, to really live every moment.

There is a $26,500 reward for information leading to the arrest of the suspect in the killing.  Anyone with information can call Crimestoppers anonymously at 596-COPS.

The family's motto has become, we are Sweeney strong and we will survive.  The way they are facing this tragedy, with strength and grace, is certainly a tribute to the man whose life was cut so short.

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