John Dan McNeil

John Dan McNeil, age 93, of Laurel, Mississippi died after a long illness at his home, Saturday, May 2, 2015. Graveside services will be held at Lake Park Hills Cemetery at 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015. John Dan McNeil was born in Geronimo, Oklahoma on March 25, 1922. He was a long time resident of Laurel, Mississippi. He earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1943 and a master’s degree in economics in 1951 from Louisiana State University. During his years at LSU, he was a member and officer of the College of Agriculture Student Council and a member of the Army ROTC, Block and Bridle Club, Future Farmers of America, Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity, and Omicron Delta Kapa leadership honor society. McNeil was activated in the U. S. Army in 1943 and completed basic training and Officers Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant and sailed to New Guinea, Leyte, and Luzon as a replacement officer. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant in 1945 and he was awarded the World War II Victory Medal and the Occupation of Japan Medal for service to his country. After his discharge, McNeil served as an auditor with the United Nations in Shanghai from 1945-47 and taught agriculture to Mississippi veterans from 1948-50. He was CEO of Lewis Machine and Welding Service from 1959-62. In 1952, he founded McNeil Tractor and Equipment Company, Inc. and was CEO until the time of his death. He was also CEO of McNeil Enterprises a timber, agricultural, real estate, and investment firm, which he founded in 1965. Active in community affairs, McNeil served as president of the Jones County Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Laurel Exchange Club, was chairman of the Board of Stewards of First United Methodist Church and served on the Board of Directors of the Deep South Tractor Association. He was also a member of Cadets of the Ole War Skule. McNeil has funded scholarships for students at Immaculate Conception Catholic Elementary School in Laurel, MS; Jones County Junior College in Ellisville, MS; and the University of South Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS. He has also established the J. W. Melton and C. W. Causey scholarships at LSU. His parents John Dan McNeil, Sultana Pugh McNeil, his first wife Stella Merle Harper, and several brothers and sisters preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Martha Mize Bustin McNeil; his brother Emry F. McNeil and his wife Margarette; sons James Robert McNeil and his wife Jeanne and children Mary Caroline McNeil and William Richert McNeil; John Patrick McNeil and his wife Teresa, her daughter Bridget Davis and their grandson Kaine Patrick Nichols; stepdaughter Karen Bustin Royals and her daughter Halie Jones, her husband Brandon Jones and their daughter Charlie Grace Jones. The family would like to thank friend and special caregiver Ollie Deloach. Pallbearers will be William McNeil, Kaine Nichols, Brandon Jones, Stan Riles, Anthony Parish and Jonathan Ladner. Honorary Pallbearers will be Kirk Royals, Toby Morgan, Rodney Cockerham, John Gaddis, Leslie Ladner and Tommy Shaw. In lieu of flowers, the family request contributions be given to the charity of your choice. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. at Memory Chapel Funeral Home. To view and sign the family guest book, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com.

John Dan McNeil

March 25, 1922 - May 2, 2015