Neal Leafdale

Casper, Wyoming

Neal Loren Leafdale

Family services will be held for Neal Loren Leafdale at the Veteran's Cemetery on Friday, December 8, 2006 at 2:00pm. Neal died at Central Wyoming Hospice on December 5th.

Born in Potter, Nebraska May 10, 1927 to Emil and Ruth (Olson) Leafdale; He was the
youngest of seven children.

As a young boy in Nebraska, he helped his father deliver milk, mail and newspapers. In 1943, he moved to Casper where he worked at the Casper Air Base learning airplane mechanics. He attended Natrona County High School and participated in the ROTC program. During his senior year of high school he joined the Navy. He served on the U.S.S. Bennington in the Pacific Rim and was a petty officer upon his discharge in 1945.

He met and married Bernadine "Bea" Simpson on November 28, 1946 in Thermopolis, WY. They celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary two weeks before his death.

In their early years, they lived in Hamilton Dome and Thermopolis, Wyoming. While in Thermopolis, he went to work for Empire State Oil Company and worked as a draftsman and received his pilot's license and flew for the company. After Empire changed ownership he worked for Ashland Oil Co. as a pilot and land man and also went to offshore drilling school in Lafayette, Louisiana. He later became Rocky Mountain District Superintendent for Axem Resources serving the states of North and South Dakota, Colorado, New Mexico and Wyoming. While with Axem, he designed the water flood plant at the Bone Pile field in Gillette, WY

While living in Thermopolis, Neal served as Legion Commander, Boy Scout Master, was on the Methodist/Presbyterian Community Church board, and helped design the community, golf course.
He was a master woodworker and made beautiful, one-of-a-kind treasures for his family. His other hobbies included fishing, hunting, camping and golfing. He was known for his sense of humor and quick wit.

His life is celebrated by his wife Bernadine of 60 years, his daughter Linda Johnston and her husband Ron of Colorado Springs, his daughter Holly Terry and her husband Jerry of Casper, his son Rod Leafdale of Billings, and his grandchildren Kelly and Bekka Johnston, Sarah Terry, Kelsey and Michael Donnini, Melissa and Erik Leafdale; his great grandchildren Nate and Ana Johnston and several nieces, nephews, cousins and sisters-in-law.
He will be celebrating a joyous reunion with his grandson Jeff Heckart and his five brothers.
In Lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate donations to Central Wyoming Hospice, 319 S. Wilson, Casper, WY 82601