Neil Bailey Carter

Neil Bailey Carter, 74, of Gering, died Saturday, August 29, 2009, at his home with his family by his side. A memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2009, at Emmanuel Congregational Church in Scottsbluff with Pastor David Adams officiating. Military rites will be given by the United States Air Force. Cremation was held at Sunset Memorial Park in Scottsbluff. A memorial has been established to Prairie Haven Hospice. Neil was born November 21, 1934, in Queens, New York to James W. and Clara S. (Pollard) Carter. He grew up on Long Island where he received his education and attended Long Island Agricultural and Technical College. He entered the U. S. Air Force in 1956 and was stationed in Japan until his honorable discharge in 1960. He moved to Colorado and came to Nebraska in 1980. Neil was employed as a cowboy at various feedlots, trained horses, was a saddle maker and worked at the Oregon Trail Wagon Train and was co-owner of the Gering Coffee Shop. Neil married Joyce R. Whiden, August 31, 1993, in Gering. Neil was a past member of the NRA, Eagles, Panhandle Saddle Club, and the Scotts Bluff County Sheriff Mounted Police. Survivors include his wife Joyce; daughter Kelly Ann Colgan, Roanoke, VA; stepdaughters: Wanda Johnston, Gering, NE, Tana (John) Venturino, Brenda (Clancey) Trump, and Patricia (Jay) Weitzel, all of Scottsbluff, NE; stepsons, Daniel (Marcia) Johnston and David (Virginia) Johnston, Scottsbluff, NE; brother: Ken (Sue) Carter, Boulder, CO; sister: Phyllis Veccia, Boco Raton, FL; 23 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a daughter Kathleen.