Roll Call Tribute

Harold Douglas Neill 

June 27, 1950 - December 20, 2023 

Harold Douglas “Doug” Neill, 73, passed away on December 20, 2023, in Leander, TX. He was born in Houston, TX on June 27, 1950, to Harold and Doris “Dot” Neill.

He attended Sam Houston High School, where he ran track and played football and baseball. He excelled at football and was named first team running back on the 1968 Houston All-City Football team and was one of two blue-chip college recruits in Texas. He was named “a most handsome senior” and was president of his senior class. After graduating from high school in 1968, Doug attended Texas A&M University (Class of ’72) on a football scholarship, and was the Aggies starting fullback as an upperclassman. Though he chose not to play football professionally, Doug was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 1972 NFL draft.

Doug worked in the insurance industry his entire career, beginning with Reserve Life in Dallas, then becoming the youngest Senior Vice President ever at Life of the Southwest, also in Dallas. When LSW was sold, he joined the leadership teams at Pioneer Life in Rockford, IL and then Conseco in Carmel, IL. After leaving Conseco, Doug started his own consulting business and moved his family back to his home state of Texas, settling in Liberty Hill.

Through the years, Doug enjoyed attending church, watching his children’s sporting events and Texas high school football, working on classic Ford Mustangs, traveling, playing golf, and later spending time with his grandchildren. Of course, he continued to root for the Fightin’ Texas Aggies!

He is survived by his children, Steve (Jennifer) Neill '92 of Buford, GA, Tessa (Casey) Wilken of Granbury, TX, Grace (Garrett) Morgan '18 of Joshua, TX, and Christopher Neill '22 of Midland, TX. He was “Granddoug” to grandchildren Shelby (Cody White) Denham of Weatherford, TX, Sydney Plitt of Granbury, TX, Wyatt Denham of San Marcos, TX, Luke Denham of Lubbock, TX, Chloe Neill and Spencer Neill, both of Buford, GA, and great-grandson Henry George “Georgie” Plitt IV of Granbury. He is also survived by his sisters, Jody Neill of Oak Ridge North, TX, and Jeanie (Bill) Radford of Mountain City, TN, and brother, Tandy Neill, of Houston, TX, as well as five nieces and nephews and their children.

Doug was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Dot Neill, his grandparents, John and Gladys Neill and Walter and Verda Whitaker, and five aunts and uncles.

A celebration of Doug’s life will be held on Saturday, March 2, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. at Trawick Presbyterian Church (4410 State Hwy 204, Nacogdoches, TX 75964), with a luncheon to follow. As Doug was a lifelong devoted Aggie fan, his family would like to invite everyone to “Maroon Out” by wearing maroon clothing for his memorial service.

Doug was much loved and will be greatly missed by his friends and relatives. Doug's East Texas roots ran deep, and generations of his family attended church in Trawick. Those wishing to remember him with memorial contributions may donate to Trawick Presbyterian Church at the above address.