Neil W. Johnson, 88, of Grinnell died on April 29, 2022, at St. Francis Manor in Grinnell. A Celebration of Life service is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 5th, at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell. Burial will be held at a later date at Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell. Visitation with the Johnson family present will be held prior to the service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be designated to the Neil W. Johnson Memorial Fund. The service will be live-streamed beginning 15 minutes prior to the service on the Smith Funeral Home Facebook page. Neil was born on December 6, 1933, in Grinnell, the son of Philip Leslie and Rena Mercedes Gatlin Johnson. He was the youngest of five boys. He was raised in Grinnell and was a 1952 graduate of Grinnell High School where he excelled in football. Neil was a veteran of the United States Army during the Korean Conflict, serving as a Corporal. On March 23, 1956, he was united in marriage to Patricia Ann Johnson, in Grinnell. A union of 66 years! They lived in Grinnell and were the parents of two daughters, DeNeil and Teresa. Neil was employed with White Electric in Grinnell for 12 years and then for 31 years as director of building and grounds at Grinnell Mutual Re-Insurance Company. He retired in 1996. Neil was a kind and generous man. He especially enjoyed interacting with children. Over the years he played Santa Claus to many children in their homes. There were countless fishing, hunting and trapping excursions. He coached and encouraged youth in sports activities. During his early retirement years, he drove for Grinnell College and valued the relationships he made during these drives. Neil and Pat became close to several college students and often hosted them in their home. Many of those relationships continue today. His servant heart was plainly evident throughout his life. Most dear to his heart was family. He loved deeply and unconditionally. He is survived by his wife, Pat of Grinnell; two daughters, DeNeil (Kelly) Moes of the Rock Creek area and Teresa "Terri" Stark of Grinnell; six grandchildren, Tanner (Kristin) Smith, Sarah (Kevin) Michaels, Amy (Eric) Van Weelden, Megan (Mike) Jones, John Stark and Leslie (Blake Keller, fiancé) Stark; and 10 great-grandchildren, Lily, Elizabeth, and Wesley Smith, Drew and Nolan Michaels, Ashlyn, Shae, and Brody Van Weelden, and Josephine and Sullivan Jones. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son-in-law, Barry Stark (2010); and four brothers, Merton (1977), Gene (2001), Robert (2020), and Leslie (2016).