James Craig Neel passed away peacefully at his home in Modesto on May 12, 2008 at the age of 91.
He was born August 29, 1916 in San Francisco to well known San Francisco surgeon, James Craig Neel and Nellie Glascock. He moved to Palo Alto as a young boy, graduating from Palo Alto High School. He attended and graduated from UC Berkeley, where he played on the Cal tennis team, and played competitive tennis until shortly before his death. While in college he met the love of his life, Margaret Cummings, and they were married Sept. 24th, 1938 in San Francisco. Mr. Neel began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI from 1941-1951, receiving several commendations for his work. He acted as Chief of Police of Napa, Ca. from 1951-1952, when he was recruited to take over as Police Chief of Modesto until 1957. Moving to Palo Alto in 1957, Mr. Neel became the Director of Security for Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco until his retirement in 1981.
Passionate about tennis, along with regularly playing in singles and doubles tournaments throughout the state, Mr. Neel spent weekends teaching others the sport, and is well loved and remembered by all his students.. He and his wife were both accomplished artists, as well; he working in sculpture and jewelry, and she working in mosaic. They enjoyed sailing, owned and informally raced several sailboats, and even lived aboard a 41 ft. Challenger Ketch in Alameda for several years after retiring.
Along with his wife, he leaves three children, James Craig III, Madeline Ann Beals, and Michele Neel Robinton, twenty-one grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Best known for his patience, kindness and quiet sense of humor, Amon, as his family fondly called him, will be sorely missed. His presence will continue to infuse the lives of those of us who were lucky enough to know him, love him and learn from him. A private family memorial will be held at the family summer home in Lake Tahoe.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633, www.alz.org in honor of his loving wife. www.modbee.com/obituaries
Source: Modesto Bee, (Calif), June 30, 2008
He was born August 29, 1916 in San Francisco to well known San Francisco surgeon, James Craig Neel and Nellie Glascock. He moved to Palo Alto as a young boy, graduating from Palo Alto High School. He attended and graduated from UC Berkeley, where he played on the Cal tennis team, and played competitive tennis until shortly before his death. While in college he met the love of his life, Margaret Cummings, and they were married Sept. 24th, 1938 in San Francisco. Mr. Neel began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI from 1941-1951, receiving several commendations for his work. He acted as Chief of Police of Napa, Ca. from 1951-1952, when he was recruited to take over as Police Chief of Modesto until 1957. Moving to Palo Alto in 1957, Mr. Neel became the Director of Security for Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco until his retirement in 1981.
Passionate about tennis, along with regularly playing in singles and doubles tournaments throughout the state, Mr. Neel spent weekends teaching others the sport, and is well loved and remembered by all his students.. He and his wife were both accomplished artists, as well; he working in sculpture and jewelry, and she working in mosaic. They enjoyed sailing, owned and informally raced several sailboats, and even lived aboard a 41 ft. Challenger Ketch in Alameda for several years after retiring.
Along with his wife, he leaves three children, James Craig III, Madeline Ann Beals, and Michele Neel Robinton, twenty-one grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Best known for his patience, kindness and quiet sense of humor, Amon, as his family fondly called him, will be sorely missed. His presence will continue to infuse the lives of those of us who were lucky enough to know him, love him and learn from him. A private family memorial will be held at the family summer home in Lake Tahoe.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633, www.alz.org in honor of his loving wife. www.modbee.com/obituaries
Source: Modesto Bee, (Calif), June 30, 2008
James Craig Neel passed away peacefully at his home in Modesto on May 12, 2008 at the age of 91.
He was born August 29, 1916 in San Francisco to well known San Francisco surgeon, James Craig Neel and Nellie Glascock. He moved to Palo Alto as a young boy, graduating from Palo Alto High School. He attended and graduated from UC Berkeley, where he played on the Cal tennis team, and played competitive tennis until shortly before his death. While in college he met the love of his life, Margaret Cummings, and they were married Sept. 24th, 1938 in San Francisco. Mr. Neel began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI from 1941-1951, receiving several commendations for his work. He acted as Chief of Police of Napa, Ca. from 1951-1952, when he was recruited to take over as Police Chief of Modesto until 1957. Moving to Palo Alto in 1957, Mr. Neel became the Director of Security for Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco until his retirement in 1981.
Passionate about tennis, along with regularly playing in singles and doubles tournaments throughout the state, Mr. Neel spent weekends teaching others the sport, and is well loved and remembered by all his students.. He and his wife were both accomplished artists, as well; he working in sculpture and jewelry, and she working in mosaic. They enjoyed sailing, owned and informally raced several sailboats, and even lived aboard a 41 ft. Challenger Ketch in Alameda for several years after retiring.
Along with his wife, he leaves three children, James Craig III, Madeline Ann Beals, and Michele Neel Robinton, twenty-one grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Best known for his patience, kindness and quiet sense of humor, Amon, as his family fondly called him, will be sorely missed. His presence will continue to infuse the lives of those of us who were lucky enough to know him, love him and learn from him. A private family memorial will be held at the family summer home in Lake Tahoe.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633, www.alz.org in honor of his loving wife. www.modbee.com/obituaries
Source: Modesto Bee, (Calif), June 30, 2008
He was born August 29, 1916 in San Francisco to well known San Francisco surgeon, James Craig Neel and Nellie Glascock. He moved to Palo Alto as a young boy, graduating from Palo Alto High School. He attended and graduated from UC Berkeley, where he played on the Cal tennis team, and played competitive tennis until shortly before his death. While in college he met the love of his life, Margaret Cummings, and they were married Sept. 24th, 1938 in San Francisco. Mr. Neel began his career as a Special Agent with the FBI from 1941-1951, receiving several commendations for his work. He acted as Chief of Police of Napa, Ca. from 1951-1952, when he was recruited to take over as Police Chief of Modesto until 1957. Moving to Palo Alto in 1957, Mr. Neel became the Director of Security for Pacific Gas and Electric Company in San Francisco until his retirement in 1981.
Passionate about tennis, along with regularly playing in singles and doubles tournaments throughout the state, Mr. Neel spent weekends teaching others the sport, and is well loved and remembered by all his students.. He and his wife were both accomplished artists, as well; he working in sculpture and jewelry, and she working in mosaic. They enjoyed sailing, owned and informally raced several sailboats, and even lived aboard a 41 ft. Challenger Ketch in Alameda for several years after retiring.
Along with his wife, he leaves three children, James Craig III, Madeline Ann Beals, and Michele Neel Robinton, twenty-one grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren.
Best known for his patience, kindness and quiet sense of humor, Amon, as his family fondly called him, will be sorely missed. His presence will continue to infuse the lives of those of us who were lucky enough to know him, love him and learn from him. A private family memorial will be held at the family summer home in Lake Tahoe.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, Ill. 60601-7633, www.alz.org in honor of his loving wife. www.modbee.com/obituaries
Source: Modesto Bee, (Calif), June 30, 2008
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