Jerry Douglas McNeil

Jerry Douglas McNeil, 79, left this life and went to his Heavenly reward on May 7, 2026, at Cardinal Senior Living in Danville, VA. Going home before him were his parents, Sadie Estelle and James Wilson McNeil, and a brother, Thomas Wilson McNeil. Surviving are his wife, Sue McNeil, of Timberlake, NC, his brother, Wayne McNeil and his wife, Iva, of Boomer, NC, his sons, Todd McNeil and his fiancée, Linda, of Timberlake, NC, and James McNeil and his wife, of Elon, NC. Grandchildren include Morgan Terrell and her husband, DJ of McLeansville, NC, and Daniel and Joshua McNeil, of Tabor City, NC. Nieces and nephews include Carmen, John, Miranda, Thomas, Sam, and Catherine.

Jerry was born on June 25, 1946, in Boomer, NC. He grew up in the church, because his mother was there for every service, playing the piano, with the McNeil boys in tow. He attended and was a member of Boomer Advent Christian Church as a child and youth, serving as Youth Leader. His first real job was driving a school bus while attending Wilkes Central High School. He joined the US Air Force after graduating and served in the Air Force and Army in Viet Nam. After returning home he served in the Air National Guard in several locations, including Warner Robins, GA, and Springfield, IL.

Returning to civilian life, Jerry sold shoes and insurance, before he started building power transformers at General Electric in Hickory, NC. He worked at several hosiery mills in and around Hickory, NC, as a maintenance person (fixer) and shift supervisor, and as a machinist at a metalworks company in Wilkesboro, NC. He retired from Gold Toe Brands in Burlington, NC, where he worked in Maintenance, in 2008.

After retiring, he and Sue lived several places, before finding their forever home in eastern Alexander County, NC. They enjoyed making trips to see long time friends, even going to Florida and Nevada.

Jerry was a kind and gentle soul, always outgoing, and never met a stranger. This world, our world, was a better place because he was in it, and it is poorer for his absence. He will be sorely missed.