Donald Robert Neu

Born August 6, 1937 Twin Falls, ID Graduated high school Lodi, CA 1955 Graduated Willamette University 1960 BA teaching. Taught physical education in Salem, OR 5 1/2 years Employed at State Farm Insurance in auto claims and attorney negotiations handling bodily injury claims for 33 years in Seattle and Tempe, AZ Married Sandy June 1, 1962. Three sons, Kendall, Jeffrey and pre-deceased by Brian. Five grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Ashley, Zachary and Sarah. Don is also survived by five brothers and one sister. During high school and college held several pole vaulting records and inducted into Lodi High School Hall of Fame with the 1955 Track Team. Held college pole vault record for 10 years. Started softball as a player and umpire in 1955 and played for 40 years, completing play on a Sun Lakes Softball Traveling Team. Started hobby of performing magic shows on small stages and parties through high school and college. This fact is probably one of the best kept secrets about Don. Coached soccer and basketball for the YMCA and Boys Club for 14 years as the boys were growing up and was voted Coach of the Year by the Boys Club. He also coached Men’s Slow Break Basketball teams and Slow Pitch Softball for several years. Don was a Cub Scout leader for 8 years and YMCA Indian Guide leader for 4 additional years plus a Booster Club member at the local high school for 6 years. He served on various church boards for many years as well. He served six years in the Air Force Air National Guard in Portland, OR. In 1990 Don was trying to learn to play tennis in Seattle and decided to put in for a transfer to Arizona where that possibility could be better realized. At age 53 he took up the game and found he liked competition, started traveling to tournaments and doing some “free” instruction two evenings a week. He has coached several teams, won many matches, has twice been selected Phoenix Area Tennis Association Player of the Year, has been named Southwest Men’s Senior Player of the Year in 2005, has been named USPTA 75 and Over Singles Player of the Year in 2013 and named 2012/2013 IRONOAKS Tennis Club Volunteer of the Year. He is nationally ranked in singles and doubles and was certified with the United States Professional Tennis Association. His “free” clinics continued until his untimely death for 26 years and he is credited with encouraging many senior citizens in Sun Lakes and the surrounding communities with having the courage to try out the game of tennis or pick it up again after a long hiatus. Private family services will be held on 4/23/16 with a memorial celebration to follow in the Fall. Remembrances may be made to: Young Life camp scholarships Young Life, 5264 Clayton Court, Suite 5; Fort Myers FL 33907, Cornerstone Christian Church purple chair fund, 2211E. Pecos Rd, Ste. 2, Chandler, AZ 85225 or Sun Lakes Foundation.

Donald Robert Neu

August 6, 1937 - April 14, 2016