Noel McNeel Obituary

Don McNeel, 82, of Cortez, CO passed away peacefully on January 25, 2019 in his home. He was born August 2, 1936 in Kingston, NM to Joseph Noel McNeel and Georgia Columbus Hogue-McNeel.

Mr. McNeel was a long-time resident of Cortez and Lewis-Arriola where he attended school at the old Arriola school house. He moved to California with his parents and extended family to start a construction business. While in CA he met and married his first wife, Diana Gillham. Together they had 4 children: Joseph Donald McNeel of Mesa, AZ; Melody Diana McNeel of Vernon, AZ; Randee Glenn McNeel of Liberty, MO; and Cinthia Dawn King of Farmington, NM. After his divorce he married his second wife who had 2 daughters, Tanya Loyd of Andrews, TX; and Gina Goodall of Cortez, CO. Together they had a son Jonathan Westley McNeel, of Phoenix, AZ.

After his retirement in 1999 from the Operating Engineers Union both in CA and AZ, he made his way back to Cortez to spend his last years. Don enjoyed going to the local soup kitchens and visiting. He also enjoyed taking his beloved dogs to run in the mornings, tinkering in the yard and fixing things.

Mr. McNeel was cremated at Alternative Choice Funeral home in Farmington NM. His ashes will be laid to rest in the McNeel Family plot in Cortez, CO. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother and a sister. He is survived by his children, 15 grandchilddren, 12 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandchild.