Neil L Talbot

Neil L. Talbot “Papa” was born August 13, 1938, to Lee and Naomi Talbot in Winder, Idaho. He was baby #10 of their 12 children and the 6th son. His birth was his first gift to his mom as they shared the same birthday!

His first 8 years of schooling, he attended Winder Elementary and went on to attend and graduate from Preston High School. While in high school, he was in choir (which was very obvious as he would always sing to us old love songs.) He attended 1 year of college at Utah State University and 3 years at Glendale University in California. Although, his college fandom has been with BYU - Go Cougs!

After high school, he and his cousin, LaVern Talbot joined the Idaho National Guard. On September 1, 1958, he went from inactive duty to active duty for 6 months with basic training in Fort Ord, California & the balance of his service at Camp Chafee, Arkansas. He thankfully was never called to war and was honorably discharged from active duty on March 1, 1959, but continued to serve in the Idaho National Guard for many years after.

1 year after his honorable discharge, he was called to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Los Angeles, California. He served the first 7 months of his mission in California and the last 13 months in Arizona.

In 1966, Neil met Darlene while working in Ogden, they were later married and had a son named Kevin Neil Talbot. Darlene and Neil later divorced, and Kevin passed away at the age of 16, he described him as a wonderful son who loved being around family. He loved and missed Kevin very much.

In May 1988, he started his own advertising business called U S Advertising in the Utah area where they produced a small coupon book called Cash Saver Ads & Coupons which they mailed to approximately 300,000 households a month!

Around the same time, Neil attended church dances for singles in Layton where he met his wife Sharon, who he loved so very much until his last day and referred to her as “the prettiest girl in the world.” After getting married, Neil joined her family where he then became a stepdad to Sharon’s 4 children Troy (Shelia), Jeannie, Jeff, and Lance (Amy) and a “Grampy” to TJ. A few years later he became a “Papa” to 5 more grandkids: Hannah (Trevor), Hayden, Lindy, Piper and Sterling. And a great grandpa to 5: Shane, Charlie, Naomi, Melody (TJ) and a new grand baby who he was so excited to finally meet, Penelope (Hannah).

We have been so beyond blessed to have Papa in our lives, the saying “to know him is to love him” could not be more true. Papa was the kindest, most selfless, loving and caring man our world has ever met and was so positive about life even when it got hard. I (Hannah) was lucky enough to have him as a best friend and the best grandpa a girl could ever have, growing up I always said, “I need to marry a Papa.” He treated his stepchildren as his own. When we would go out he always introduced my mom, Jeannie, as his daughter, he loved her so very much and was truly a dad to her.

He loved social gatherings with family, especially going up to visit everyone in Preston and our small family Christmas Eve & 4th of July parties at his and grandma’s home. He loved golfing, fishing, opera music and was a big fan of watching sports. He especially loved watching his grandkids play. Papa was the loyal type even in sports and preferred to cheer on Utah teams -if there were 2 non-Utah teams playing, he would choose the team who had a player from Utah. But again, loved BYU the most!

Papa had so many loved ones in his lifetime, and I want to thank everyone who showed him the love he deserved. He was too good for this world, and I can see why the angels wanted him back!

He is preceded in death by his parents, Lee and Naomi; his son, Kevin; his stepson, Jeff; 11 siblings: Gwen (Ernest), Henry (Clara), Dona (Glen), Keith (Mable), June (Dean), Audrey (Wayne), Ken (Djon), Gerald, Dora (Gordon), Janis (Howard); along with nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is survived by his wife, Sharon; his brother, Eugene (Joyce); three stepchildren; 6 grandchildren; 5 great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorial service will be held on Sunday, December 8, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. at Aaron’s Mortuary, 496 24th Street, Ogden, Utah.

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