Dr. J. Meredith "J.M." Neil

Dr. J. Meredith "J.M." Neil
1937 ~ 2014
J. M. Neil passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Monday, February 24, 2014.
He was born on June 2, 1937, a third generation Idahoan, the son of Carl H. and Ellen Hurt Neil. He attended public schools in Boise and Eagle, graduating from Boise High School in 1955, and completed his education at Yale (A.B., 1959). He received graduate training as a historian at the University of Wisconsin (M.S., 1963) and Washington State University (Ph.D., 1966).
J.M. pursued several careers: education (receiving tenure at the University of Hawaii in 1971); public service (executive director of the Idaho Bicentennial Commission, 1972-1976; and City Conservator of Seattle, heading its historic preservation office, 1977-1981); arts management (director of the Nicolaysen Art Museum in Casper, Wyoming, 1983-1989); and business (realtor in Boise, 1992-2000). During all of these changes in occupation, he remained committed to historical scholarship, publishing four books and numerous articles. At the time of his death he had just published "Boise Pops: A Century of Bringing Music to the People of Boise".
He married Virginia Mary Bivens in Boise on August 16, 1958. They were divorced in 1992. They had one son, John-Marcus.
J.M. was an active member and former board member of Epworth Chapel on the Green. He had for many years worked in prison ministry.
He is survived by his son, John Marcus, and daughter-in-law, Leslie; grandchildren, Ian and Emily; two brothers, Timothy of Boise and Carl of Portland; and one sister, Frances of Denver. He was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister, Susan.
In leiu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to First Choice Hospice.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.