Neal Austen KauffmanMarion - Neal Austen Kauffman, age 40, passed away from an electrical accident on Sunday, September 3, 2017. Neal was born on November 17, 1976, in Houston, TX. A graduate of McDowell High School, Marion, NC, he attended the University of North Carolina at Wilmington where he lettered on the golf team for two years. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from UNC Charlotte, where he lettered on the golf team for another two years. He also graduated with an Associate Degree in Golf Course/Turf Grass Management Technology from Sand Hills Community College, Pinehurst, NC, and served as an intern at Augusta National Golf Course (home of the annual Masters Golf Tournament), Augusta, GA. In 2014 Neal accepted a position with Catawba Brewing Company in Morganton, NC, and most recently served as The Director of Brewing Operations in Charlotte, NC, for Catawba Brewing Company. Neal is survived by the love of his life and fiancé, Engle Troxler; his mother Dotty Kilgore and husband Mike, of Nebo, NC; his father James H. Kauffman and wife Deborah, of Fort Worth, TX; his brother Kyle Kauffman and partner Jill Roberts, of Kannapolis, NC; his brother Clay Kilgore and wife Lindsey, of Concord, NC; his nephew Luke and beloved dogs, Willa and Henry. Neal's family would also like to extend special thanks to Engle's mother, Nancy, for her moral support and to Engle's father, Dr. David Troxler, and his wife, Kathy, for their extraordinary medical counsel and exceptional personal attention and support.Neal was a great family man and loving fiance, son, brother, uncle and friend. Neal was a social and active man deeply involved in golf for the majority of his life. He was thrilled to play in the United States Amateur Championship Golf Tournament in Newport, RI. He loved animals and plants and enjoyed home improvement projects, woodworking and mowing grass. His family and friends will always remember him as a hardworking, caring and giving person who dedicated his spare time to helping others. A small, family funeral ceremony was held at Neal and Engle's house in Charlotte, NC, on Monday, September 4, 2017. A celebration of life will follow.Donations in honor of Neal to one of the following would be greatly appreciated: 1. First Tee: an international youth development organization introducing the game of golf and its inherent values (integrity, respect and perseverance) to young people from all walks of life, Local Chapter: The First Tee of the Foothills, 3005 Longwood Drive, Shelby, North Carolina 28152 (704-482-4286; email- [email protected]). 2. McDowell County Animal Shelter, 3751 NC-226, Marion, North Carolina 28752 (828-652-6643). 3. Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, 11900 Vanstory Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078 (704-375-0100); www.hpccr.org). Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.sossomanfh.com.