John Neely Macadam

Born on February 2, 1936, to James and Icile Macadam, John grew up in Marion, Indiana. After graduating from high school in Marion, John went on to study at the University of Cincinnati and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering in 1959. While at the University of Cincinnati, John met the love of his life, Anita Frances Ziegler, whom he married in 1957. They shared 59 years together. John went on to earn his Master of Science in Structural Engineering from Cornell University in 1961. After Graduation, he and his family moved to Middletown Ohio, where he lived for 52 years. In 2013, he and Anita moved to League City Texas where they spent their remaining years.

John was a devout Christian who served as a Sunday school teacher, deacon, elder, and trustee. He was a member of Wildwood Golf Club, Junior Achievement, the American Iron and Steel Institute, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and ASTM International. John spent his entire career at Armco Steel in Middletown, Ohio, where he was a structural engineer and manager in the Research Department. After a distinguished engineering career, he enjoyed an early retirement at the age of 55.

John and Anita loved traveling the United States and visiting their children and grandchildren. John was an avid bridge player, an accomplished woodworker, and an award-winning carver. He generously carved all year long in order to present every family member with carved boxes, plates, Santas, and other heirloom gifts. John loved sports and avidly followed his local teams in Ohio and Texas and of course his Indiana Hoosiers. John was a terrific ping-pong player and golfer. He was a true Scotsman, and frugality was in his nature. Saving the first penny he ever earned, John was a saver and an investor.

John and Anita were blessed with four children: David Macadam (Rene’) of The Villages, Florida; Stephen Macadam (Marie) of Atlanta, Georgia; Anne Bradley (Joe) of Friendswood, Texas; and Joan Karbo (the late Ken) of Colorado Springs, Colorado. They were profoundly proud of their 14 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was his family.

John instilled in his family a strong faith, work ethic and moral compass. He was an excellent role model who showed his family how to work hard and smart, invest wisely, and be a wonderful husband, father, friend, and neighbor. John had a good sense of humor and was a friendly guy to all he met.

John was preceded in death by his wife, Anita; his parents; and his brother, James Macadam.

John’s life and memory will always be a blessing.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday June 20, 2026 at Clear Lake Presbyterian Church in Houston, TX. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Prostate Cancer Foundation.