Neil Edward South

Neil Edward South was born on January 28, 1939, in Dearborn, Michigan to Myrtle (Allen) and John D. South. He passed away peacefully surrounded by family on June 20, 2026, taking his last breath during a reading of the 91st Psalm.

After graduating from Royal Oak Dondero High School in 1957, Neil joined the Michigan National Guard. He served for six years while also completing undergraduate and graduate degrees at Wayne State University in Detroit. He then joined Ford Motor Company where he worked for 31 years as a principal staff engineer and trainer, among other positions. He was one of the pioneers in computer-aided design during the 1960s.

Neil married Gloria Anne Decker on May 12, 1961, in Rochester, Michigan. Neil was devoted to his “Wifey” for 61 years as a loving and supportive husband, always game for their next adventure. They lived a full life, dedicating themselves to family and helping others. After retiring, they enjoyed running the Bears' Den Bed & Breakfast together in Traverse City, Michigan, for five years.

Neil's selfless love and care gave his family a cornerstone of guidance, encouragement and support. He loved both listening and problem solving while encouraging people to do and be their best. A closet extrovert, he blossomed late in life to share a wave or salute, a smile or conversation with anyone who crossed his path. Even when he struggled to speak during his final months, he continued living his philosophy of improving the day of everyone he met.

Raised in a creative and musical family, Neil had an extensive array of interests and accomplishments. He became fluent in German as an adult through methodical and dedicated study and practice. This was how he approached mastering any new skill or interest. A natural teacher, he taught two of his grandchildren German during their homeschooling years.

After 40+ years not playing, he took up his clarinet again in his early sixties. Neil became proficient enough to play for six seasons with the Northwestern Michigan College Community Band. He also enjoyed ten years playing Dixieland music with the Front Street Jazz Band, performing with the group around the Grand Traverse region. Neil also taught his granddaughter, Angelica, to play the clarinet and they shared many hours together learning and performing.

Neil's eclectic, keen and curious mind easily embraced new subjects. He variously immersed himself in dinosaurs, anthropology, languages, the sciences, Photoshop, current events and so much more. Neil always embraced new technology and liked to be on the cutting edge.

He also mastered leather working, photography - building his own darkroom - wood carving (including chess sets,) knot tying, model building, juggling, cooking and baking. In his mid-80s, he worked at learning the piano and took up sketching. He was an lifelong avid reader, relishing science fiction as well as mystery, action and adventure books in both English and German. Neil also adored movies and had an extensive video collection.

Passionate about exercise, Neil starting running in the 1970s. He trained in Judo during the 1960s and practiced Yoga into his 80s. Always up for a walk, at 86 he was still doing squats, weights, push-ups and dead-hangs. A “bicep check” was a trademark greeting even after he could no longer do his beloved exercises.

An avid traveler dating to his days at Ford, where the company sent him on many business trips, he visited Germany numerous times. He and Gloria also explored many states in their trailer with a square dance camping group. An iconic family memory was a five-week trip to California and back in 1962, driving and tent camping in a red VW Beetle with daughter, Julie, then nine months old.

Neil was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria, his parents, brothers, Gordon and Jimmy South and nephew, Chris South. He will be interred with his wife at the St. Francis River Cemetery in Duelm, Minnesota, at a later date.

He is survived by daughter and son-in-law, Julie and Mark Benner; daughter Carol South; grandchildren, Angelica (Chris Jones) South, Sage (Amelia Davis) Benner, Rose Benner and Laurel (Nate) Devereaux and nephews, David and John Brian South. Neil also loved his family's exchange students; son German (“Sherm”) Spiller and daughter Daniela Buehler. He cherished calls and visits with them over decades.

A celebration of Neil's life will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Adams Funeral Home, 502 W. Michigan Ave., Paw Paw, Michigan.

Neil’s family wants to acknowledge our family doctor, Dr. Pearce DuPuis, for his guidance, humor and support over the years. They also deeply thank the dedicated, caring and hard-working staff at Maple Lake Assisted Living Facility. The angels there provided exceptional care, loving support and a true home for his last seven months. “Waka Waka!”

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be directed to West Michigan Homeschool Fine Arts (www.wmhfa.org/donations) or to Worship Arts (worshipartskalamazoo.com/support). These programs reflect Neil's love of music, education and homeschooling.