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Neil C. Leigh • 1935 - 2006 Neil was born on May 25, 1935, in Minot, ND, the son of Walter and Martha (Ward) Leigh. He was reared in Minot and graduated from Minot High School. He entered the United States Navy and was later Honorably Discharged. After his discharge, he returned to Minot where he was employed for a short time with Bridgeman Creamery and the Minot Daily News. Neil went to work for the Burlington Northern Railroad as a carman and later retired in 1990. Neil married Linda Clark on February 7, 1978, in Bismarck. Neil served on the City Council as 2nd Ward Alderman in Minot for over 27 years and was in a leadership role especially when it came to economic development. He represented the City Council on the Minot Area Development Corporation Board of Directors for more than 10 years. He was a strong supporter of the MAGIC Fund, which has brought over 3,500 jobs to the Minot area. Neil was also active in numerous other community activities as well and was an avid fund raiser for these organizations. He was a member of the Congregational Church of Christ, the County Planning Commission and the Minot American Legion. Neil was also a former president of the Nodak Race Club, and a former vice chairman of the Minot City Council and Chairman of the finance committee when he served on the City Council. Neil was once married to Barbara Bunker. Survivors: wife, Linda, Minot; sons, Bryce (Barb) Leigh Dallas Fort Worth, TX, Darren (Wendy) Leigh, Olathe, Kansas, Kevin (Candace) Miller, Fargo, ND, Mark (Sheila) Miller, Minot; daughters, Gail Leigh Peterson, Minot and Janice (Dennis) Hamling, Washburn, ND; 14 grandchildren, David Leigh, Bryan Leigh, Kelly Leigh, Kyle Leigh, Jamie Leigh, Tanya Hennix, Jana Hennix, Stephany Peterson Saunders, Michael Hammling, Kasi Hanling, Kenneth Miller, Curtis Miller, Lacy Ripplinger, and Cody Ripplinger; great-grandson, Riley Scott Thompson; sisters, Carol (Gordon) Penix, Seattle, WA, Bonnie (Bill) Smith, Davenport, IA; brothers, Wesley (Shirley) Leigh, San Jose, CA and Ken Leigh, Sun City West, AZ; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Jean Heinche, Duane Leigh, Mildred Fruend, Shirley Farhart and Leslie Leigh; daughter-in-law, Jody Leigh and son-in-law, Dr. Myron Peterson. Funeral Service: Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 11 a.m.
at the Congregational United Church of Christ, Minot. Officiant: Pastor Edwin Zuern Eulogists: Mayor Curt Zimbelman and Jim Maxson Music Honorary Bearers: Neil's fellow members of the Minot City Council Active Bearers: Bob Hembree, Larry Frey, Ed Kuhn, Dean Somerville, George Zeitler, Bill Jenson Flag Presentation by the VFW Color Guard with Dorothy Pence
presenting Taps. To sign the online guest register
for Neil |