Adrian M Neil's Obituary
Adrian M. Neil, 91, formerly of Tama, Iowa passed away on June 27, 2014 under the care of his wife and Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, Florida.
Born in Tama on March 6, 1923 to the late Joseph and Grace (Reams) Neil, Adrian is a graduate of Tama High School, and studied at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa.
A veteran of World War II Adrian was called to duty in March 1943 serving for two and one half years in the Army Engineer Corps. Having served with the 86th Engineer Heavy Ponton Battalion, from Normandy until VE Day in Europe, Adrian was awarded Battle Stars for Normandy, Northern France, The Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.
During a 30 year career in banking, Adrian was president of the Tama State Bank which
was originally organized by his father, Joseph H. Neil in 1927. In 1971 Adrian and his
wife Bette moved to Wisconsin where he became president and chairman of St. Nazianz
State Bank. Adrian and Bette retired in 1985 and moved to Florida. Along with honing
his golf game year round, Adrian prided himself on remaining current in world business
news and politics. A perfect evening was catching up on books covering the Civil War,
World War II, as well as his interest in the evolution of "Big Band" music.
On June 25, 1946 Adrian married Bette McClure, daughter of Charles and Anna McClure
of Tama. Adrian is survived by his wife Bette Jean (McClure) Neil, his daughter Ann
(David) Proctor and son Brian (Kim) Neil, his grandchildren Adrienne Proctor
(Lance) Stroik, David Bradley (Tricia) Proctor and great-grandson Jackson Stroik,
Adrian's passion for "Big Band" dance band music began in 1936 when he was
introduced to the popular Saturday night radio music program, "Your Hit Parade". As
Adrian said, "at 13 years of age something new and wonderful had come into my Life."
By 14, he suggested to his father that it was time for him to do something else besides
just listening to music. Adrian enjoyed playing a cornet through his young adulthood and
by 17 formed a dance band playing at church functions, lodge halls and theatres in the
surrounding Tama and Toledo area. A love of "Big Band" music continued through out
his life. Memorial services for the family will be held in the near future in Tama, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers the family requests those wishing to make a memorial contribution to
donate to Cornerstone Hospice.
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