Neil Thedford

Guy "Neil" Thedford, age 86, of Jackson, TN passed away on Sunday, December 29, 2024, at Charter Assisted Living in Paris, TN. Mr. Thedford was born on September 7, 1938, in Dresden, TN to the late Milburn Thedford and the late Leone Mansfield Thedford. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Elaine Thedford. Neil went to Palmersville HS in the 1st grade and then 2 years in a one room school near Dresden. His family lived on a farm North of Dresden and he graduated from Dresden HS in 1956.
Mr. Thedford worked in the Design Engineering Department for International Harvester Company in Memphis, TN in 1957 after his first year of college at UT Martin. He married Joyce Harris from Palmersville in 1959 and they were married for 64 years. Joyce worked in Real Estate Sales until 1998. Neil graduated from UT Knoxville in 1961 and continued to work for IHC. They moved to Naperville, IL in 1978. He retired in 1994 and continued to work on contract for the engineering department until 2014. In total he worked 57 enjoyable years for the same company. While doing field tests and other work related to the design of machines, he was privileged to travel to many states in the lower half of the USA. He was also able to travel to many foreign countries to work with the farmers and dealers, harvesting crops in their part of the world. They moved from Naperville, IL to Jackson, TN in 2011.
Until 2015 he pursued his favorite hobbies of riding motorcycles and going snow skiing. He then spent his time working around their home and visiting with family and friends. Many happy times and memories.
Come sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! May there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea.
Survived by:
Daughters: Janet Tignor of Jackson, TN Judy (Kenny) Arnold of Camden, TN
Sisters: Nellie Jo Gross of Houston, TX Cheryl (Hal) Dysinger of Mills River, NC
Grandchildren: Blake (Ashley) Arnold, Melissa (Adam) Reeves, Kelly Arnold, Julea (Tyler) Radford, Nathan (Misty) Tignor
Fourteen Great Grandchildren
Three Great Great Grandchildren
Graveside service will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2024, at 11 AM at Arnold Family Cemetery with Blake Arnold officiating.