George Reed McNeill

Our beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend George Reed McNeill, passed away peacefully January 30, 2026, in Grants, New Mexico. A joyful reunion is anticipated with his wife, his son, his parents and other beloved family members.

George was born June 4, 1949, in Grants, New Mexico to Kenneth Reed McNeill and Evelyn Smyth. He loved growing up on the old family homestead in Bluewater, New Mexico. He enjoyed playing baseball as a youth and was an excellent hitter, pitcher, and catcher. He was named to the Grants High School Hall of Fame and was All-State in both football and in track and field. He was an academic honor graduate in 1967.

George attended Snow Jr. College on a football scholarship, earning All-Conference honors. He led the Dean’s List his Sophomore year after an exciting social life his Freshman year. He met Clara Shelley at Snow and married his sweetheart. He also attended Utah State University, BYU, and then graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Utah in 1977 with a bachelor’s degree in political science and Minors in both History and Business Administration. 

He married Clara Marie Shelley on August 20, 1971, in the Manti Temple. They are the proud parents of two beautiful and talented daughters, Terreye Marie and Janessa Lyn. George’s greatest love and joy was in his children and his extraordinary grandchildren. He willingly assisted in the active care of aging family members and extended family members. Time and experience revealed a kind and gentle spirit contained in a very competitive body and active mind. His great intelligence was coupled with unusual common sense. He was a voracious reader and could discuss most any political, historical, geological, or sporting event with amazing detail. His memory and recall of specific events or conversations was nearly photographic. He was a fierce competitor and respected opponent on the field but was most pleased to be a good friend to the lonely, the hurting, or the oppressed. His education and continued love of learning enabled significant contributions to community and nation, and in building and sustaining the Kingdom of God on the earth. 

George had the opportunity to serve and travel with President Richard Nixon and President Gerald Ford while assigned to the White House. His worldwide travel and ventures in direct Presidential, Staff, and Cabinet Support were very interesting but seldom discussed because of security requirements. Service to the nation in his military role was a high privilege and a rare duty. George was a patriot who loved good government, effective service and policy, and developed procedures and training manuals that served the White House Communications Agency well. He was the recipient of the Presidential Service Medallion. 

George enjoyed politics and was elected At-Large to the Sandy City Council in 1993. He contributed greatly as Chairman in written policy development, business development, and getting major power lines safely buried underground. He served on many public utility and water boards, planning commissions, and board of adjustments in community service. He was the Parliamentarian for the Salt Lake County Republican Party for several years. His relationships with elected officials of all levels of government enhanced good policy and projects. 

George had the opportunity to serve in many leadership capacities in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He particularly enjoyed serving his Savior and the people as the Bishop of the Crescent Park 4th Ward with the association with other great leaders, friends, and loving and kind neighbors for nearly thirty years. He taught and lived welfare principles as a Regional Welfare Agent. His active missionary experience in the North British Mission 1968-1970 prepared him for a lifetime of leadership and service in great varieties of teaching in Ward and Stake callings and responsibilities. He was an effective and knowledgeable teacher and was a gifted speaker. He enjoyed the gift of gentle persuasion by quoting scripture and doctrine, heard and remembered from his days of service at the feet of the brethren while ushering in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. He did not like to write out talks and was able to rely on the power of the Holy Ghost and personal preparation to talk in love and with power.

George loved traveling to places of beauty and historical interest throughout the United States and much of the world. He enjoyed being off the main road, simply getting a feel for diverse people, places, and things. The travels with family provided lasting memories, pictures, and purpose.

His people and management skills were valued at all levels of government service. He was an effective banker, lender, and real estate agent. His communication skills and persuasive insights made him valuable in public relations and as a credit manager. His lifelong love of sports and competition were enjoyed with his brother-in-law, Don Shelley, his son-in-law, Jeff Zaleski, and his grandchildren. He loved people and enjoyed bringing people together for good purposes.

Following the passing of Clara in 2009, George returned to his beloved boyhood home in New Mexico. There, he reconnected with his childhood friend, Barbara Eileen Johnson, and they were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple on April 21, 2010. Over the next fifteen and a half years, they enjoyed retirement together, spending time at Bluewater Lake, staying closely connected with their children and grandchildren, and caring for one another. Some of George’s greatest joys during this time came from receiving updates on the academic and athletic achievements of his children and grandchildren. As George’s health declined in recent years, Barbara devoted countless hours to his care, serving him with love and dedication.

George is survived by his wife, Barbara; his children Terreye (Jeff) Zaleski and Janessa (Ben) Greenlief; and Barbara’s children Andrea (Mark) Putnam, Bryant Johnson, and Nicole (Andrew) Sanchez; as well as his grandchildren Garrick (Avery), Trevor (Ellery), Lauren, and Lindsey Zaleski; soon to be born granddaughter Greenlief; Ethan (Bailey) and Emily Putnam; and Rayleen Merayo-Sanchez, Haylie, and Derek Sanchez; great-granddaughter, Juniper Putnam; and his brothers, TJ and John McNeill, and his sister, Susan Smith. He was preceded in death by his wife of 37 years, Clara Marie Shelley; his son, Thomas Reid McNeill; his parents; and his siblings Mary, Beth Bartel, Kenneth, Jane Mayfield, Richard, and Donald.

Funeral services will be held Friday February 6, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at Wing Mortuary (118 E. Main St.) in Lehi, Utah. A viewing will be held from 9:30-10:30 a.m. prior to the service. Interment will be at the Lehi City Cemetery.