Neal F. Simeon was of Creole descent. His family was from New Orleans, and his father was a cigar maker. He had two sisters and three brothers: Lillian, Ethel, Omer, Albert and Leo. They are all deceased.

Neal F. Simeon’s oldest brother, Omer, was an accomplished musician. He played the clarinet with the legendary Jelly Roll Morton and other noteworthy bands of his era. Every now and then you can hear one of their recordings on the Public Radio Stations or NPR. www.redhotjazz.com/omar.html.