Leland McNeill

Leland (Sage) McNeill, age 81 passed away June 5th, 2015. He was born in Vernal, Utah June 6th, 1933 to Nola Burton and Rollin McNeill. He is a graduate from Uintah High School then joined the U.S. Army. Leland married Patricia Sutton Sept. 18, 1959. They were sealed for time and all eternity in the Salt Lake LDS Temple, August 1976. He loved the cowboy lifestyle. Team Roping and calf roping are the events he participated in. He traveled throughout Utah and Colorado to competitions. He was one of the original organizers of the Junior Horse Lovers in the Vernal area. He was a member of the Vernal Roping Club, leader of the Uintah Basin High School Rodeo Club, president of the Utah High School Rodeo Association and UHSRA board member for many years. Leland was a coach to many rodeo youth. He coached his children to state, NHSRA, and NIRA championships. His children, grand children and great grand children now carry on his love of rodeo and the western heritage. He raised horses and cattle on a third generation ranch East of Vernal. He started McNeill Backhoe Service, owned McNeill's Market and County Grub. Leland is survived by his wife , Pat McNeill; (sister) Merlene Hall, Vernal, Ut; Lori(Bruce) Pulham, Payson, Ut, Kristy McNeill, Vernal, Utah; Cory(Shayla) McNeill, Vernal, Ut; Kary McNeill, Stephenville, TX; Marcie Sullivan, Sherman, TX; 20 grand children and 23 great grand children. Leland is preceded in death by his parents Rollin and Nola McNeill; (sister) Betty Hart; and (brother) T.J. McNeill. Funeral Services will be held for Leland June 9th, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Vernal 4th Ward LDS Chapel (235 E 600 S, Vernal). A viewing will be held Monday, June 8th from 6-8 pm and an hour prior to the services. Burial will be in the Rock Point Cemetery. Services will be under the direction of Blackburn Vernal Mortuary.