Neal LeRoy Tuft, 96, passed away Monday, March 15, at Fairwinds-Sand Creek Retirement Community in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Neal was born Feb. 16, 1925, in Centerfield, Utah, to Hugh Neville Tuft and Jessie Maude Gilbert Tuft. He grew up in Centerfield and graduated from Gunnison High School. He also took courses from the University of Wyoming. He served as a sergeant in the United States Army during World War II.
On Dec. 14, 1946, he married Joan McAllister in Salina, Utah. Neal and Joan made their home in Centerfield, Utah, homesteaded in Riverton, Wyoming, and then ranched in Manila, Utah. They then moved to Evanston, where he worked as the Uinta County Weed and Pest Control supervisor and retired in Evanston. They moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho, in 2019. Joan passed away on Jan. 5, 2021.
He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He enjoyed ranching, woodworking, RV camping, fishing, hunting and spending time with his family.
Neal is survived by his children: Ann (D. Frank) Norton of Valencia, California; Scotty Tuft of Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Patricia (Michael) Willman of Franklin, Tennessee; and Neville (Annette) Tuft of Rigby, Idaho; 14 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Joan Tuft; sister, Avral J. Larsen-Pillow; brother, Verl H. Tuft; sister, Lorna M. Christiansen; brother, Darwin G. Tuft; and brother, Sherrill D. Tuft.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 26, at Wood Funeral Home East Side, 963 S. Ammon Rd., Ammon, Idaho. The family will visit with friends from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Funeral services will be broadcast live at www.woodfuneralhome.com. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at the cemetery in Centerfield, Utah.
Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.woodfuneralhome.com.
