Charles Henry Neighbor

1924 - 2022

Charles Henry Neighbor

April 23, 2022

Charles Henry Neighbor, 97, of Roanoke, Va., was called home to his heavenly father on Saturday, April 23, 2022.

Charles Henry Neighbor was born in 1924, in Iola, Kans., as the eldest son of Josephine and Charles. He was educated in the town and drafted from college in 1943 and assigned to the 29th Infantry Division. At 19 and a half he survived the first wave in the division's D-Day assault on Omaha Beach when his landing craft was carried off course by the weather. He was seriously wounded later in Normandy, spending eight months recuperating, and in Germany.

He earned an engineering degree from Kansas State University and married Clarice Ganswind of Centralia, Ill. in 1950. He worked as a civil engineer, starting with grain silo design in Kansas, until he retired, He moved to Roanoke in 1967 and was an active member of Windsor Hills United Methodist Church. He greatly enjoyed travel, camping and the outdoors. With Clarice he revisited the Normandy Beaches in 1983, which spurred him on to finish and publish his World War II book, "One Man's War Story." He returned to Normandy several times as an active member of the 29th Division Association and did many well-received talks about his experiences. He was a proud supporter of the D-Day Memorial in Bedford. He was well looked after by the staff of Brandon Oaks for nearly 21 years.

Charles was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Clarice Neighbor; mother, Josephine D. Neighbor; brother, Howard Neighbor; and grandson, Eric Neighbor.

He is survived by his children, Charles "Chad" Neighbor (Lesley), Jonelle Neighbor, Keith Neighbor (Carolyn), and Christopher Neighbor; sisters, Catherine Harris and Carol Neighbor (Gregg); sister in-law, Mary Neighbor; grandchildren, Rebecca Neighbor, Sarah Neighbor, and Anna Neighbor, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to give special Thanks to the entire staff and the caregivers at Brandon Oaks Nursing and Rehab Center for taking such great care of Charles.

A celebration service of Charles's life will be at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, 2022, at Lotz Funeral Home Roanoke, 1001 Franklin Road S.W., Roanoke, VA 24016, with the Rev. Douglas B. Paysour officiating. The family will receive friends from 12 until 2 p.m. prior to the service on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers please make donations to the D-Day memorial in Bedford, Va., at www.dday.org

Online condolences may be made at www.lotzfuneralhome.com.