David Alexander Neill

Born in Brownwood, TX to Lt. Col. Robert Neill and Mildred Ziegler, Dave moved with his family to El Paso in 1957. He found professional success in international logistics, ending his career as Regional Gateway Manager for FedEx Trade Networks from 2010 until his retirement in 2021, but he was a rascal in his heart, loving mischief, games, and good times. He partied maybe a little too much for two years at the University of Texas in Austin, before returning to El Paso in 1971 to tend bar. During these years he also worked with his father in egg distribution, which led to an opportunity and foothold in cross-border logistics at the Zenith Shirt Co. He identified as an underdog, and through his cunning and entrepreneurship found a path to opening his own freight forwarding business, High Country International, in Denver Colorado.

Dave moved to Colorado in 1986 with his second wife, Marilyn, where they renovated a rural cabin in the mountains, rode horses, and surrounded themselves with pets and nature. Dave discovered his inner lumberjack felling trees to warm the cabin in the winter, and with Marilyn he created a place for magical memories as kids and cousins met there every summer to connect with each other, camp, fish, and go a little bit wild in the forest. Upon selling his business to Morrison Express, he joined Morrison as Director of US Operations in Los Angeles from 2003-2008. These were among his happiest years, soaking up a cosmopolitan California lifestyle and travelling with his then-partner, Devon Wall. After retiring from FedEx at the age of 70, Dave enjoyed frequent family trips, woodworking, and being Grandpapa to Aiden. In his last years he took up ballroom dancing and built an engaging and loving community around himself through the Arthur Murray Dance Studio in Grapevine, TX.

His most cherished accomplishment that he shared with his dear older brother Bob (d. 2015) was bringing his extended family together for Neill family Thanksgivings, the success of which he measured through 39 consecutive years by the exceptional quality of his gravy, the growing number of seats at the table, and the blossoming traditions that turned a single meal into a days-long event. Much like a good gravy, his family is a collection of loved ones and stories - some sweeter or more pungent than others - but all savored for their individual contributions to the overall flavor. Dave is survived by his sons Shawn and Shane, daughter-in-law Anamilena McDonald (m. Shawn) and their daughter Camila Acuña-Gallego, son-in-law Todd Veldhuizen (m. Shane) and their daughter Aiden Ella Neill-Veldhuizen, sister-in-law Rosemary Neill, nephew Alex (m. Laura Calvillo, daughters Olivia and Evelyn), niece Margaret, former wife Marilyn Ryan and step-daughter Erin Ryan, and his former partner Devon Wall.

In lieu of flowers, sign yourself up for a dance lesson in his honor. Celebration of life events will be held in the spring, first in Grapevine then in El Paso. Details to follow.