John L. Neace

September 9, 1954–October 28, 2022

John L. Neace, Dayton native, passed away October 28, 2022 at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane with his brothers, Jim and Dan at his side. He was 68.

John was born September 9, 1954 in Dayton to Merwin and Alethea Lukinbeal Neace. John was the middle son of three and grew up on the family farm outside of town. He was active in 4-H and FFA for many years and often had sheep that he was raising. He played in the high school band and graduated from Dayton High School in 1972. John went to college in Bellingham and in The Dalles, Oregon; eventually completing his Bachelor's Degree.

He married Pam Sunderland in Dayton and they made their home in Spokane for many years before they were later divorced. John continued his education and worked his way up to a PhD. He worked for several years as a professor and counselor at Eastern Washington University in Cheney. One of his greatest joys was in helping his students plan for their futures. He liked to assist them with their resume' writing too. He worked for Eastern Washington University for 30 years and was instrumental in countless lives of his students.

John often returned home to his roots and the family farm. He was the official "truck driver" during harvest and he always liked the days of stubble burning where he was the pyro technician. John was in a joint venture auto auction business and he loved collectible cars. He always had cars around his Spokane home that he was either working on or just collecting. He had a vast knowledge of guns and ammunition and liked to shoot pistols with family and friends whenever he could. He was a member of the NRA. In these later years, he considered himself semi-retired but he still worked from home or the ranch quite frequently.

John enjoyed eating at the Walla Walla Steak House with Mike Harting of Dayton his best friend. They were regulars like Norm on the series CHEERS and everyone enjoyed their company. John loved the ranch and he recently purchased a Yamaha Side by side where he would drive the entire ranch to enjoy the land in which his father, grandfather and great grandfather worked so hard to preserve it for the next generations. John always stayed busy at the ranch, he made sure the lawn was watered, kept the pasture mowed and like working on the house with his brother Dan and nephew Adam.

John looked forward to each hunting season with Dan and his sons Ryan and Adam; it became a tradition the night of opening season to have steaks, potatoes, shrimp, and John's favorite Scotch, cold beer, and some of his very special aged wine. John would always help us with taking care of the gutting and skinning of the deer in the ranch shop even though he didn't have the stomach for it.

John had been instrumental in helping prepare the grave site at Covelo cemetery for the passing of his sister-in-law Margaret Neace; his help will never be forgotten as this is where he asked to be put to rest.

-Submitted photo

John L. Neace

John was preceded in death by his parents.

He is survived by his two brothers; Jim Neace of Dayton and Dan Neace of Walla Walla; two nephews; Ryan and Adam; and a niece; Erica and by his great-nephew; Aiden.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. On-line guest book is at corbeillfuneralhomes.com