Neal Arthur Newby (92) of Nampa, passed away of natural causes in the early morning hours of Thursday, October 24, 2024, at the home that he resided in and loved for 57 years. A viewing for the beloved father and grandfather will be held on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at Zeyer Funeral Chapel in Nampa. Another short viewing will be held from 9:00 – 9:45 AM with the funeral following at 10:00 AM on Thursday, October 31, 2024, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints located at 11288 W Roosevelt Ave. Nampa. Neal was born in Eagle, Idaho on October 28, 1931, to Van and Laura Newby. As the youngest of six children, life on the farm quickly became interesting. At his first party (when only a couple of weeks old), he was misplaced on the same bed used to store jackets from the party guests. He was later found buried under a mountain of coats. Quick resuscitation was required so the little guy would be around for any additional parties. Only a couple of weeks later, the family’s home burned and all contents, including Christmas gifts, were lost. After years of work on several unsuccessful farms, the family later moved into Nampa and lived in a little pink house on 18th Avenue South. Neal attended Nampa High School and graduated in 1949. He loved being with friends during his school years. It was then that lifelong friendships began with Leonard Croy and John Salove. Finding time for high school dances, movies, and work helped him to find joy and purpose in life. Playing center on the Nampa High football team, coached by Babe Brown, taught Neal teamwork and leadership. Watching his parents worry about his older three brothers serving in Europe and the Pacific during WWII, helped him learn about family, love, and service for others. After high school, Neal attended the College of Idaho for one year. During that time, a young high school girl named Margy Hooker caught his attention. Although money was tight, the two of them found they could spend time together in her father’s wholesale business earning money applying seals on cigarette cartons (20 cents per carton). Two dollars for them was enough for the perfect date, which included; gas, two movie passes, and a hamburger. Margy and Neal were married in the fall of 1952 and celebrated 68 years of marriage until Margy’s death in 2021. During all those years, they remained caring sweethearts, even when Neal was drafted into the Army and left for duty in Europe a couple of weeks before the birth of their baby daughter Gayle. Neal loved to play golf, and Margy encouraged him to play. As a 60-year member of the Broadmore Country Club, he spent years chasing the perfect round of golf. Although he felt that was never achieved, he did however, hit a hole-in-one on three different occasions. Neal and Margy had four children (Gayle, Tim, Lori, and Van) all of whom followed their parents’ example and graduated from Nampa High School. Family vacations were common, but most centered on the family cabin near Council that Neal co-owned with his two best high school buddies and their families. Neal was very active in service throughout his adult years. In addition to working for Mountain Bell for over 35 years as a manager in Council, Weiser, Nampa, and Boise, he had an unquenchable desire to serve in other capacities as well. For 22+ years he was a stake clerk in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. In addition, he also found time to be an active member of the Nampa Industrial Corporation (35 years), the Canyon County Historical Society (20+ years), President of the Nampa Rotary Club, and was a founding member of both the Nampa Schools Foundation and the Nampa Boosters Association. While serving the people of Nampa, Neal also found a need for service within his own family; first as a caregiver to his sister with Alzheimer’s, followed by his ailing brother and sister-in-law until their deaths, and finally for Margy as she battled dementia in her later years. He was a man who never sought accolades, he just saw people in need, and he willingly stepped forward to help. Neal is survived by his children Gayle & Rob Trask, Tim & Deedra Newby, Lori & Bryant Bunderson, and Van & Bethanie Newby; his grandchildren Sarah Trask, Robin & Derek Hoene, Timbre & Tony Greenwood, Landon Newby & Maria Reinbold, Alexis Newby, Brayden Newby & Pepe Muñoz, Briana & Chris Olsen, Hannah Stott, Jenny & Brad Russell, O’Neal Bunderson, Ian Bunderson, Chandler & Sydney Newby, Caleb & Jenny Newby, Brendan Newby, Emma Newby, and Ammon Newby; great grandchildren Paige and Quinn Hoene, Austen, Oliver, and Brontë Greenwood, Asher Newby, Micah and Lincoln Olsen, Eden Stott, Weston, Adelaide, and Cameron Russell, Julia, Ryan, and Seth Newby. Neal was preceded in death by his wife Margy, mother and father Laura and Van Newby, brothers Morgan (wife Goldie), Karl (wife Carrol), Reid (wife Dorothy), Jack (wife Joyce) and sister Shirley Wrenn (husband Jack).
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