(From Lockwood Funeral Chapel)John Dean Neill, 94, of Lockwood, MO, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
He was born October 2,1931 in Crane, MO, the only child of Loyd and True Neill. After a couple of moves the family made because of World War 2, John returned to Crane and graduated high school in 1949. John was a proud veteran who served his country stateside in the Navy. After an honorable discharge, John was an independent businessman most of his adult working life.
He was a barber, and that brought him to Lockwood in 1956. Soon after, he met Ruth Easson. After going to a basketball game (where else?) on their first date, they were married a couple of months later on May 5th, 1957. Together they raised their family of four children, happily married for 66 years.
John was also a dog kennel owner, inventor of Live Wire Dog Food, and a truck driver before purchasing a small drive-in at the 4-way stop in Lockwood in 1977. In a few years’ time John’s vision of what might work better led to the creation of John’s Smorgasbord. Open just 17 and ½ hours a week, over 1,000 people a week came to Lockwood to enjoy the delicious buffet at an affordable price. People liked to see John emerge from the kitchen, his red apron caked in chicken batter, greeting his customers with a smile and a good story. For years the Neill children, when asked where they were from, would say “Lockwood, you ever heard of John’s Smorgasbord?” They usually said yes, and they would reply “John’s my dad!”
Then John entered a career he said he was the best at: Retirement. He and Ruth volunteered countless hours at Mercy Hospital. John became an avid 5k, 10k and half marathon runner. He thrived like he had never before. He got himself in tremendous physical shape, encouraged countless others to enjoy running, and with Ruth started the John Neill Cancer Run that raised over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society.
John was also a dog kennel owner, inventor of Live Wire Dog Food, and a truck driver before purchasing a small drive-in at the 4-way stop in Lockwood in 1977. In a few years’ time John’s vision of what might work better led to the creation of John’s Smorgasbord. Open just 17 and ½ hours a week, over 1,000 people a week came to Lockwood to enjoy the delicious buffet at an affordable price. People liked to see John emerge from the kitchen, his red apron caked in chicken batter, greeting his customers with a smile and a good story. For years the Neill children, when asked where they were from, would say “Lockwood, you ever heard of John’s Smorgasbord?” They usually said yes, and they would reply “John’s my dad!”
Then John entered a career he said he was the best at: Retirement. He and Ruth volunteered countless hours at Mercy Hospital. John became an avid 5k, 10k and half marathon runner. He thrived like he had never before. He got himself in tremendous physical shape, encouraged countless others to enjoy running, and with Ruth started the John Neill Cancer Run that raised over $30,000 for the American Cancer Society.
The race, held annually on the first Saturday in June, survives him and you can honor John and Ruth by signing up and participating in the race. The great condition John was in helped him survive cancer four times, and also two heart surgeries. John was a survivor in the truest sense of the word. When injury took away his ability to run, John continued to faithfully work out 6 days a week, including driving to Pittsburg, KS three days a week to swim.
John and Ruth enjoyed traveling to all 50 states, but even more so were proud to have been blessed with a close family that always got along well and gave them so much enjoyment.
John was a proud son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and uncle. And he will be missed in his community and around the area as a friend to countless others.
John was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ruth (Easson) Neill , his parents, Loyd and True(Dean) Neill, stepmother Iva Neill, sister-in-law Annis Gillock Hixon (Lawrence Gillock, Bill Hixon), sister-in-law Kathryn Langston(Charles), and brother-in-law Sheldon Easson(Nora Ruth); and one niece, Susan Langston Vonier.
John and Ruth enjoyed traveling to all 50 states, but even more so were proud to have been blessed with a close family that always got along well and gave them so much enjoyment.
John was a proud son, husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather and uncle. And he will be missed in his community and around the area as a friend to countless others.
John was preceded in death by his beloved wife Ruth (Easson) Neill , his parents, Loyd and True(Dean) Neill, stepmother Iva Neill, sister-in-law Annis Gillock Hixon (Lawrence Gillock, Bill Hixon), sister-in-law Kathryn Langston(Charles), and brother-in-law Sheldon Easson(Nora Ruth); and one niece, Susan Langston Vonier.
John is survived by his daughter Karrie Sands(Neal), son Kevin Neill, daughter Karla Gregg(Chuck) and son Kirk Neill(Kristin); ten grandchildren, Nathan Sands, Eric Sands(Crystal), Kayla Goings(David), Jonathan Gregg(Stefanie), Joseph Gregg(Megan), Skylar Neill(Kesler), Lakin Neill(Page), Rylee Neill(Blake), Makinley Neill, and Adrien Neill; and eight great-grandchildren, Brinley Clair, Kyson Goings, Rowan Goings, Howard Sands, Everett Gregg, Arlo Sands, Norah Gregg, and Georgia Neill. Also surviving are many nephews, nieces, and friends.
The family wishes to thank the caring staffs at Cox South, Cox Lamar, and especially Good Shepherd Community Care and Rehabilitation Facility for caring for John the last couple of months. Memorial contributions can be made to the American Cancer Society or to Lockwood United Methodist Church.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Thursday, April 2, 2026 at the Lockwood United Methodist Church. The family invites all of John’s friends and family to gather and reminisce at the visitation at the Methodist Family Life Center from 3:00pm to 5:00pm following the service.
If you will join us you will be a “Notch Above” and doing so will help you to “Keep getting better every day!”
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