Jack Edwin Neil

Jack Edwin Neil 83, a long time resident of Pocatello passed away Friday morning, March 5, 2010 at home after battling a heart condition for many years.

Jack was born Oct. 14, 1926, the 3rd son of Archie and Ann Kiddy Neil in Kemmerer, Wyoming. Jack attended school in Kemmerer, graduating from Kemmerer High School in 1944. After graduation when he turned 18, he joined the Air Force where he served for two years during World War II. While home on leave, he met his wife to be, Paula L. Wood, of Kemmerer, Wyo.

After the war, he received an honorable discharge and went to Yakima, Washington to refrigeration school.

On July 14, 1948 Jack and Paula were married in the Logan Utah Temple. They moved to Pocatello that fall so Jack could finish his refrigeration schooling at ISU.

After completing his schooling there was no demand for refrigeration repairmen, as all the new refrigerators were made with sealed units so Jack went to work for Northwest Propane Gas for a short time. His wife was working for Consolidate Freightways, and there was an employment opening so Jack applied and got the job working as a dock hand, lead man and a pedal driver. He delivered freight from Pocatello to Rexburg for 23 years. His career was cut short when he had a massive heart attack on Nov. 11, 1973 that left him disabled at the age of 47. For the past 36 years, Jack has enjoyed building a cabin in Island Park with the help of his wife and children. His church callings included Ward Clerk, temple worker, executive secretary and he really enjoyed serving as a Scout leader.

Jack enjoyed traveling with his wife, brother and sister in law (Ray and Sherrel Preston). Their goal was to visit all 50 states, only five remain. He had five to go. He enjoyed visiting friends and family and was always a helpful neighbor.

He loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting, boating, gardening, making and repairing things. Jack was a real “jack of many trades”. He especially loved Louis Lamar books and read, read, read.

Jack is survived by his wife, 4 children Edwin Neil, Pocatello; Terry Murray, Centerville, Utah.; Jay (Krys) Neil, Pocatello, and Jerry (Wade) Andersen, Rupert, 17 grandchildren, six step grandchildren, eleven great grandchildren and 2 step great grandchildren. Jack has one living brother, Dale A. (LueReeta) Neil of Chubbuck, Idaho. Jack was preceded death by his parents, 2 brothers and a sister.

The family appreciates the caring thought and kind acts of friends too numerous to count.

The family would like to especially thank Idaho Home Health and Hospice for helping him finish his life in dignity and to Dr. Ben Call and Dr. Kyle Clifford for their caring service over the years.

Service information will appear under the "Service Schedule" tab above.