Gregory Thomas Neveu

June 22, 2016, the world lost an amazing man, Gregory Thomas Neveu, known to everyone simply as Greg. He impacted so many lives and never wanted to take credit for the wonderful man he was. So, the ones that knew him best feel it’s important to give him the tribute he so richly deserves.

A Wife’s Tribute – In 1971, Greg met his one and only Tamera Lue Nelson. We were set up as a blind date by our sisters and we went bowling. He actually forgot my name and put on the score sheet Me and You. That’s how clever he was. For the next 44 years we became Me and You on all of our cards we gave each other. In 1975, Me and You got married and I began the most amazing life a girl could ask for. He was MY one and only. In 1981, a son Alex was born. From the very beginning Greg was the best dad a kid could ask for. Greg and Alex shared a special bond as they went through the Boy Scout years together. In 1986, Jenae Elixandra entered our world. She loved her daddy so much and they also shared a special bond. They went everywhere together. If she wanted to go somewhere special he took her. He was her dada and she was his little fire cracker. Through the kids’ school years you would find Greg at football games, band and choir events, track meets, and soccer games. He even chaperoned a bunch of 6th grade girls when then they took a field trip to the zoo. He got the dad of the year award for that one!! Greg anticipated my every need and truly was my best friend. Every year on our anniversary, August 13, he would take me to Seattle so I could go to the craft stores and teacher supply stores. Not only did he support these “addictions”, he actually helped me pick out materials. Now seriously, how many husbands not only let you spend the money, but encourage it??? The most important thing I can say about Greg is that others always came first. He was an old-fashioned guy, a master of all trades. He not only took care of his family but others benefited from his talents as well. He was an electrician by trade, but he could also build, work on cars, do any household repairs you can think of and these talents were often shared with others.

When Greg was diagnosed with cancer in 2013, his strength and determination helped him through the ups and downs of this terrible disease. Through it all he tried to keep as normal a life as possible. He got up with me every day to send me off to work, then no matter how rotten he felt he visited his mom. I’d ask him every morning how he was doing, and his answer was always, “fine”. Even on his last day when I thought I had lost him, he came back in order to be with all of his family one last time. My one and only is gone from this earth, but will forever be in my heart. Love you, babe.

A Son’s Tribute (Alex) – While my father was there for many of the activities that my sister and I took part in as we grew up, and I’ll always have those memories, some of my fonder memories of him were of the smaller things we did together. We spent many weekends, building model rockets, creating dinosaur skeletons by welding copper wiring together, creating ice saws and snow shoes for winter camping, and doing a variety of other activities together. Anything I needed, he was there for me. I now realize he must have had the patience of a saint in dealing with my many questions and sometimes mischief when I was out there with him. The times working in his shop, though admittedly he did most of the work sometimes while I watched, were some of the best.

A Daughter’s Tribute (Jenae) – My dad was an amazing man. He was always there when I needed him no matter what. He taught me to be true to myself and to have a good work ethic. I know he was proud of me no matter what I did or where I was. I will miss him deeply. No one can ever take his place or know how great a dad he was. I will always be his little Jenners. I love you dad.

A Granddaughter’s Tribute (Ariana Jene) – Although I only knew you for a year you were the best “grumpa” a girl could have. You thought grumpa would be a funny name because you thought you were grumpy but you were never grumpy to me. I was your little A.J. and I loved it when you read my favorite Sesame Street, Rub a Dub Dub book to me.

A Mother’s Tribute (Adeline) – Through the years I couldn’t have asked for a better son. Even when you were so sick during your treatments you would come and visit me every day at my assisted living home. You would not only make sure I had everything I needed, you also helped the other residents, joked around, and made everyone feel special.

A Sister’s Tribute (Cheri) – When I was 19 I got my driver’s license. Greg and I would go out to West Valley and try to do burn outs on some deserted road. I could never do it because I gutted out, but he laid a fine patch or two. I thought that was a really “wicked” thing to do so we never told anyone. Once a month we would do a really wild and crazy thing, we’d drive to Ellensburg and get a hamburger. Kids now days would die laughing at what we considered “being bad”. We had fun just being together, whether it was driving around collecting plant samples for his science project or playing board games. When my son started talking he couldn’t pronounce GREG, it always came out Uncle Crack, and that name has stuck all these years. When Greg came home from the service I introduced him to the sister of a coworker. He refused at first because “blind dates are usually crazy”. He finally broke down and asked her out. When he got back I said “What is she like?” He said, “She weighs 300 pounds and is ugly as sin.” I KNEW he was enchanted! The rest of the story, as they say, is history. Greg and Tammy had a phenomenal relationship that I envy to this day. Greg treasured Tammy, Alex, Jen and little Ari. Greg was the most kind, gentle, caring man I have ever known. He was humble which is surprising as he was an artistic genius, a stellar gunsmith, and designed/built very awesome remote control airplanes that he loved to fly. He had the most astounding sense of humor and our brother Denny, Greg, and I could go non-stop for hours. I see now that it may have been somewhat intimidating to the rest of the crowd because we just fed off each other non-stop with whacky stuff. There really aren’t adequate words to describe him. If you knew him you felt his gentle strength, his intelligence, and his compassionate heart. If you didn’t know him I can’t begin to do him credit with mere words. Fly high Uncle Crack, I love you and miss you and I’ll catch up with you soon.

A Brother’s Tribute (Denny) – Greg, my sister Cheri, and I spent our early years living on a small farm with a creek on lower Ahtanum Blvd. We all attended Armstrong School, 400 feet down the road. It had 2 rooms, 2 teachers, and 8 grades. The three of us had to be careful what we did since we lived so close to the teachers. But… when we got home the kid gloves came off and the horse biscuit gloves went on. Lots of time playing at the creek behind the house, lots of chores to do in the garden, barns, and shed, plenty of critters to feed and care for. We all had pets and Greg and I argued over the years about who had the best pets. I’ve always claimed I got the dumb dogs and Greg and Cheri got the smart ones. Greg had the best one for a while, a tom turkey that let him ride on it. If we picked on Greg, Tom would come a running. That was a cool pet, but had to be butchered as it started chasing the neighbor lady. That was a sad day for Greg, but a tasty meal. Greg joined the army and spent 3 years in Germany. When Greg mustered out of the Army he went to work where I was working and he became an electrician. We were all married by then, he to his forever wife. When Tammy got a teaching job in the Castle Rock area, they moved there and he worked as a mechanic which was the trade he perfected in the army. When our Dad died he returned to Yakima to work as an electrician for me. We worked together for about 16 years until I sold the company. I could never have wished for a better brother, always supportive, an excellent electrician, always great with customers. He always had my back. Thanks bro, you were and will always be in my thoughts and heart. Rest easy. You have been as tough as our dad.

A Nephew’s Tribute (Patrick) – My Uncle Greg, from the beginning was known as "Uncle Crack". I believe it was because my cousin Brett couldn’t pronounce Greg, so it came out Crack, and it just stuck. Uncle Crack was always around when I was growing up. He was involved with jeeps with dad, always over helping build a jeep, and he always had time for us kids. As I grew older and began developing interests, Crack was always there to nurture them. When I caught the photography bug, Dad and Crack were both there. They purchased darkroom equipment and we built a dark room. We spent many hours developing film, making contact sheets, and printing enlargements. Then came cars. Greg had this beautiful Austin Healey Bug Eyed Sprite. I rode with him in my first Autocross, I was probably 14 or 15 at the time. It was quite the thrill. Dad said he could hear me screaming in the first few corners. Greg was involved in all the things I did in my life. The mini bikes, the Odyssey racing, drag racing. He was the cool uncle. He let me take that beloved Bug Eye Sprite out when I was in high school and cruise the ave. with it, of course we had to wait for Dad and Mom to leave town. I guess you could say he was my partner in crime. Later he donated another Bug Eye and helped Dad and I chop it up and build my first drag car. That’s another passion we shared, drag racing. He loved drag racing. He even modified a trailer he had to haul that car. Greg was always supportive of my endeavors, always a confidant. I could talk to him when I was having problems in life. He always listened and never judged. He taught me many things that I still use daily in life. He taught me how to wire a house, how to wire a commercial building, and his favorite, remodels! Ok, he didn’t like remodels. Thank you Uncle Crack for always being there for me. You will be missed but never forgotten. I've learned so much from you, you are in everything I do every single day.

Employers’ Tribute – Greg worked as an electrician for various employers for over 40 years. He was a dedicated, hardworking employee, who was on time, stayed on the job until it was done, and always did his best for the customer. There are not too many out there that were as knowledgeable and talented as he was. He had great friends in most of the supply houses and I know that he enjoyed immensely the times he spent drinking a cup of coffee with the guys.

Tributes from friends – (Gene Cope) I’ve had the great privilege of knowing Greg Neveu since late 1988. Greg and I would go fly our R/C sailplanes when time allowed on weekends in the early days. He always had a calm demeanor that just radiated out around him. As we aged he was there to help when help was needed. In turn I would be there when he needed help. He was a great friend and will be deeply missed. (Dave Kim) Greg was a nice guy, always friendly, pleasant and full of good will. I have many good memories of the Yakima aerotow event from the last 15 years. My memories are of a man who loved flying and loved to laugh. He was a great friend and a great man and will always be missed.

Greg was preceded in death by his father George. He is survived by his wife Tammy, son Alex, daughter Jenae Barton (Matt), granddaughter Ariana, mother Adeline, brother Dennis (Patricia), sister Cheri, nephew Patrick (Nel), niece Lisa (Brad), nephew Brett (Carla) and their children, and Gene (Ida) Cope his best friend.

Greg’s celebration of life will be July 10 at the Harman Center from 1-3 pm. Greg was an easy going guy who loved his jeans, t-shirts, and flannel shirts. He only dressed up when absolutely necessary. So, dress will be casual. We will be dressed in jeans wearing some of Greg’s favorite t-shirts. There will be refreshments and we will be chatting about how Greg has impacted all of our lives.

In lieu of flowers please send donations to the Harman Center, Senior Inc. They supplied all of the equipment Greg needed. The family invites you to share your thoughts and stories on the following website: www.lepfuneralhome.com