Donald C. McNeill
1951-2015
Donald (Don) Clyde McNeill, of Edmond, Oklahoma, was welcomed into the kingdom of heaven and the Lord's arms Saturday, March 21
st
, 2015 at Thornton hospital in San Diego, California, at the age of 63. He was surrounded and held by his family the moment the Lord led him through the shadow and it was beautiful, tender, and gentle.
Born May 8
th
, 1951, in Thomas, Oklahoma, he was the son of Clyde Bruce and Patricia Kippenberger McNeill. He attended Oklahoma State University, where he pledged Beta Theta Pi, and graduated with a degree in Agricultural Economics in 1973. It was at OSU he met his forever sweetheart, and wife, Cheri.
The Lord gave Don favor in the things he put his hand to, and his family affectionately titled him "the most interesting man in the world". He spent the majority of his career in the banking industry and enjoyed hobbies such as; reading, traveling with his wife, golf, horses, and flying. But, more than anything else he enjoyed spending time with his family. He was always their biggest cheerleader and supporter – no matter the occasion.
Don is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Cheri Holder McNeill; along with his three children; Ryan and Kaylon McNeill of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Trevor and Erynn McNeill of Dallas, Texas, and Hunter and Abbey McNeill Denton of Dallas, Texas; seven beloved grandchildren, Cole, Caleb, Sage, Emma, Madeleine, Hannah and Ruth McNeill; two brothers, Mike and Becky McNeill of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Phil and Leslie McNeill of Reston, Virginia; his stepfather William Clayton, and countless cousins, nieces, nephews and relatives. His legacy continues through the lives of each of them.
Memorial services for Don McNeill will be held on Friday, March 27th, 2015, at 10:00 am, at Faith Bible Church, where Don and Cheri attended. Address: 600 N Coltrane Rd, Edmond, OK 73034. A graveside service will follow for family and friends that wish to join at the Mound Valley Cemetery in Thomas, Oklahoma at 2:00 p.m.
To know him was to witness the physical embodiment of optimism, joy, drive, buoyancy, and integrity. He will be deeply missed and he is and will remain at the center of our dearest memories forever.
In lieu of sending flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Donald Clyde McNeill to support Dr. Kipps' Blood Cancer Research Fund at the University of California San Diego, Moores Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to the UC San Diego Foundation, noting that the gift is in memory of Donald Clyde McNeill. Please send gifts to Sandy Liarakos, Executive Director of Development, UC San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., #0853, La Jolla, CA 92093-0853.
