John Elwood Neff

Our Amazing Father, Grandfather and great Grandfather, John Elwood Neff passed quietly away on October 26, 2024 in his home on Evergreen Avenue at age 104. He anticipated his return home in a line from his personal history, “Going home will be a glorious experience, the greatest event of our mortal lives.” We are sure that he was welcomed by myriads of overjoyed family and friends whom he has loved and served unselfishly in his long, productive lifetime. Weeks before he slipped away, he began feeling and responding to those many loved but unseen friends and family which brought him great comfort.

Born August 3, 1920, in his Grandparent’s home on Evergreen Avenue in East Millcreek to John McLain Neff and Carol Christina Smith Neff, he was never far from his pioneer roots and developed the work ethic they instilled in their posterity. He worked hard all his life – milking cows, weeding, planting, picking fruit, pumping gas, nightwatchman, county road crew, golf caddy, gardener, survey crew, college teacher, and lastly civil engineer. He opened his own very successful engineering firm – Neff Engineering - designing and supervising the construction of roads, subdivisions, water lines, airports, water and sewage treatment plants. Those he worked with trusted his honest, forthright ways and the speed and excellence of the work he produced.

Elwood had an experience as a 12-year-old boy harvesting peas on a church farm that guided him for the rest of his life. He was overwhelmed with a “great feeling that I was on the Lord’s errand doing his work…” That sense – “Being on the Lord’s errand” guided his actions. There were many church callings including serving in the Valley View Stake Presidency but almost 10 years as bishop may have been his favorite. He loved his “salt of the earth” ward members. They met and worshipped in the Evergreen Chapel. He was asked to collect the funds prior to construction and then shingled the roof with other ward members. Over the decades many sought and received blessings at his hand. He was a favored funeral speaker for years. He served 3 missions with his wife Lorele - India/Singapore, Johannesburg South Africa, and the Salt Lake Inner City Mission. He eagerly shared his testimony that “The most important event of the entire plan of salvation is the atoning sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” His desire to share the blessings of the gospel led him to spend many, many hours in the temple on other’s behalf.

Family has always been a priority. He deeply loves and respects his Neff heritage and taught his family the value of ‘roots’. He married Lorele Burt in July 1945, in the Salt Lake Temple, built a small ‘garage home’ and started raising children. He taught by example and expectation, showing how to live the gospel of Jesus Christ. His children responded to his love, humor and generosity. Always grateful, positive, optimistic, kind, compassionate – and Energetic! Not many could keep up with Elwood and his drive to get things done. Once very athletic and mobile, he accepted his age-related limitations with grace, humility and submission.

Elwood ‘rubbed shoulders’ with some unusual people in his lifetime. During World War II he served as a Naval communications officer on a destroyer and on assignment in London. His duties included escorting Helen Keller, carrying dispatches to Winston Churchill and representing the United States by laying a wreath on the tomb of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey. Church service and neighborhood friendships included President Hinckley, President Faust and President Monson. Dad’s happy, unassuming nature endeared him to all who spent time with him. He was a man who could laugh at himself.

Like in all lives – there was disappointment. Dad was very athletic and played basketball with a fury. He was always the top scorer in his games, taking many shots. But chores and home responsibilities kept him from playing for Granite High School. He was playing intramural ball at the University of Utah and the Utah basketball coach asked him to come out for the team. Practices were during engineering lab hours so he had to defer once again. He turned his competitive spirit into challenging his children to an occasional, intense game of Rook.

Neighborhood kids loved Elwood! He was always offering to reach under the front seat of his truck to share one of his hidden sugar treats with them. Gingersnaps? Black licorice? He loved ice cream and looked for an excuse to fill the back of the pickup truck with kids and head to Fernwood’s for a cone. His patience with teen-age drivers was legendary and he had an open agreement with Lee Astle’s auto body repair shop. He welcomed all his children’s friends with open arms.

Elwood was proceeded in death by wife Lorele Burt Neff, parents John McClain and Carol Christina Neff, Siblings Carol Neff (Alma) Hawkes, Stanley Dilworth (Beverley) Neff, Amos Barr (Sandy) Neff, Thomas Rodney (Karen Miner) Neff. Survived by Brother Albert Robert (Marilyn) Neff; children Cherrill (Richard) Oldroyd, Mark (Shellee) Neff, Natalie (Richard) Brinton, David (Debra) Neff, Paul (Kathie) Neff and Claudette (Jack) Gerard; 39 grandchildren and 97 great grandchildren and one on the way. He loved them all.

We were extremely blessed with incredible caregivers for over two years - Mele, Fanguna and their family; Ellen, Rose and the other sensitive, caring staff members from Aspire Home Health and Hospice. They lifted burdens and provided Elwood, Lorele and the entire family with excellent care and companionship through a very difficult season of our lives. We are forever grateful.

John Elwood Neff lived his life “Letting God Prevail” in all circumstances. We celebrate his legacy and seek to honor him by living lives of goodness and love.

Graveside Service

Wednesday, October 30 2:00 pm Wasatch Lawn Cemetery

Memorial Service

Friday, November 22, 2024, 12:00 noon Evergreen Ward Chapel 2125 Evergreen Avenue