Claude Vernon "Gopher" Neighbors

1944 - 2023

On September 8, 2023, Claude Vernon Neighbors, "Gopher", left this world and went to be with our Lord. Born on July 1, 1944, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, he was the son of Elsie Hughes Neighbors and Claude Wilson Neighbors, who have proceeded him in death, as has his elder son, Benjamin Wilson Neighbors.

He is survived by his wife, Julie; younger son, Christopher Neighbors and his partner, Juliana Clark; his sister, Linda Neighbors Bryant and brother-in-law, David Vernon Bryant; and so many other family members.

He had been a resident of Runk and Pratt Pearls of Life Memory Care, and a part of their family for a little more than a year.

Vernon served in the United States Army from 1965 to 1967. He was a member of College Hill Baptist Church.

After purchasing an old home in the Diamond Hill Historic District in Lynchburg, Virginia, in the mid 1970's, he was one of the lifetime honorary members of Diamond Hill Historical Society.

He loved the home he and Julie purchased and lived in it with his family. He spent his life making meticulous renovations both inside and outside of their home.

He loved golf, but it took second place to his love of fishing at Emerald Isle in North Carolina.

Gopher never met a stranger. He spent countless hours on the front porch, in his later years, smoking his cigars and welcoming all who came through Diamond Hill.

There will be a celebration of his life at his home at 602 Washington Street in Diamond Hill on September 16, 2023, from 2 to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Alzheimer's Association or Lynchburg Humane Society .

Tharp Funeral Home, Lycnhburg is assisting the family. To send condolences, please visit www.tharpfuneralhome.com.