Sept. 14, 2024
Our Hero
Gerald C. Neil (Gerry), born April 25, 1950, died Sept. 14, 2024, unexpectedly at home from a medical condition. He was born in Ft. Hood, Texas, to Betty Lou Cobb and Paul Gordon Neil. He was one of 13 children. He was a husband, father grandfather, great-grandfather, and soon to be great-great-grandfather. In other words, a legend!
Gerry was born to be of service.
1st: In service to his country, as a soldier, he was in the First of the Fifth Special Forces Group (SGT) in the Vietnam war where he served honorably. When he returned home he was stationed at Dugway Proving Ground as a military policeman, a criminal investigator and later as an electronic technician.
2nd: Service to his fellow man and county. During his time at Dugway he was also a Deputy County Sheriff.
3rd: Service to his town. As the longest serving fire chief of 44 years, he got the fire station built with the county. He was so proud of it. He got the “previously loved” fire trucks from the county and other parts, and built it from the ground up. He stocked it with the best firefighters to add to the county’s and state’s most awesome volunteer firefighters around. His wife Sharon and all of his children, and a few of his grandchildren, even served under him either as dispatchers or firefighters.
He got the grant that got the Terra community park. Then he built it, alongside his firefighters, neighborhood community, and children of the town. Everybody had a hand in building it.
And to top it off, he got the roads paved in the Terra community. The demand for his time was vast but he ALWAYS made time for you.
You can view a video of his love and dedication for the town and its people by going to this link from KSL News: fb.watch/uNeJVb1ZVf/
He was an avid cowboy, boater, hunter, and provider, but first and foremost, he was a family man. Everything he did, he did for his family.
Gerry’s first marriage was to Kathy Erz, and they had three lovely children. Later divorced. He then went on to marry the love of his life Sharon Wilde, and adopted her daughter into the fold.
Gerry is survived by his wife Sharon; children Katy Salas (Steve), Jeff Neil (Vangie), Tim Neil, Stephanie Salazar (Craig); his 20 grandkids, 38 great-grandkids, and a great-great-grandkid on the way; his brothers Randy Higginson (Jan), Lee Higginson (Tammy), Ron Higginson (Pauline), Brett Higginson (Penny), Dave Fuller (Courtney), Brian Oliver (Stephanie), John Brian (Sandy); and many, many nieces, nephews, and friends.
He is preceded in death by both of his parents, sister Bobby Lou Neil, sister Mary Smith, brother Ron Laws, brother Todd Higginson, sister Lori Christian, and daughter Kristie Russell.
We know you’re in heaven my love, because if you went to hell, you’d just put it out.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, at 11 a.m., at the Terra Volunteer Fire Department, 300 E. Park St., Terra, Utah. A visitation will be held at 10:30 a.m. prior to services. Military honors and fireman’s last call will take place at the conclusion of services.
Arrangements in care of Dalton-Hoopes Funeral Home, Tooele County, 435-884-3031. Online condolences and memories may be shared at DaltonHoopes.com.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to South Tooele Fire Departments.
I’m sad to hear of Gerry’s passing. I served with him in the Army. Gerry was a friend and was respected by all who knew him.
I saw a picture of him with a blanketed appy. I used to have one named Taffy when I was a kid in the Tooele Bit-n-Spur.