Wendell Neff

WENDELL GORDON NEFF, 80, passed away on Monday, January 29, 2007 at his home in Bartlesville. Wendell was born June 3, 1926 in Neodesha, Kansas, the only child of Forest and Margaret Maurer Neff. He spent his early childhood in the southern Kansas area as his parents moved with the Union Gas Pipeline Company, ending up in Caney, Kansas. As a young boy, Wendell was an active member of the Boy Scouts, earning his Eagle Scout Award. He also excelled in sports, with basketball being his real passion. While still in high school, his parents moved to Kansas City, and Wendell stayed behind to finish school and play basketball in Caney. Wendell attended Independence State College, and later Kansas State. He commenced a 40-year career with Phillips Petroleum in 1946, playing basketball with the Lee Tires Team and later with the national AAU Phillips 66'ers. Soon after, he was drafted into the US Army and served his country during the Korean Conflict. Wendell was honorably discharged as a sergeant in 1953 and returned to Bartlesville with Phillips in the Engineering Design Division. Wendell remained in Bartlesville in engineering throughout his entire career. He met Mary Arthel Goode during their pursuit of careers, and married in December 1958. In addition to the memberships in professional organizations, Wendell was a leader in numerous fraternal and other organizations. He was a member of East Cross Methodist Church, a life member of the National Eagle Scout Association; past post commander of the American Legion; 32nd degree Master Mason; life member in Tulsa Scottish Rite; recognized as a 50-year mason with honor; a member of the BPOE State Champion ritual team several years; lifetime charter member of the National WWII Memorial; Lions Club; and Hillcrest Country Club. As a Grand Lake enthusiast and property owner for more than forty years, Wendell supported numerous organizations in the lake area. Wendell had a great love and respect for God, for his family, our flag, and our country. He was a patriotic American and a faithful supporter of America's deserving veterans and their families. He will be greatly missed. He is survived by his wife, Arthel (Artie), of the home; four brothers-in-law, Bill Goode and his wife Geneva of Tulsa, Bob Goode and his wife Marcia of Bartlesville, Buck Goode and Max Goode, both of Tulsa; one sister-in-law, Dixie Vaira of Denver; eleven nieces and nephews; twenty-four great nieces and nephews; and one great great niece. Wendell was preceded in death by his parents, Forest and Margaret Neff; four brothers-in-law, Dick, Jimmie Dale and Jerry Goode and Bud Vaira; two sisters-in-law, Shirley and Sue Goode; one nephew and one great niece. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established with the Bluestem Foundation to Linear Accelerator, 3500 Frank Phillips Blvd., Bartlesville. OK 74006, c/o Ladona Harrison and with the Cornerstone Hospice Foundation, 3414 SE Kentucky, Bartlesville, OK 74006 c/o Jodie Shorter. Funeral services for Wendell Gordon Neff will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, 2007 in the East Cross Methodist Church with Rev. Emery Mason, Senior Pastor, officiating and directed by the Neekamp-Luginbuel Funeral Home. Entombment services will follow in the Memorial Park Cemetery Mausoleum. Online condolences may be left at www.honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Friday, February 2nd, 2007 11:00am, East Cross United Methodist Church

Interment Details

Memorial Park Cemetery Bartlesville