Gerald "Jerry" Neville

Fort Mill, South Carolina – Gerald “Jerry” Worley Neville, age eighty years, passed suddenly Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at his home.

Jerry was born May 17, 1943, in Long Beach, California.  He was preceded in death by his biological father, Francis “Frank” Vickers, his adoptive father, Horace “Bill” Neville, his mother, Arline Neville, two brothers, William “Billy” Neville and Michael Neville; and a son, Gerald Neville, Jr. (at birth).

Jerry is survived by his wife, Strelsa M. Neville; his son, Robert (Diane) Neville and stepdaughter, DeeDee Rosario; his grandchildren, Ian (Fatemeh) Neville, Kristofer (Carmela) Rosario, Mary Barlow, Meghan (Josh) Johnson, Taryn Neville, and Harrison Neville.  He is further survived by six great-grandchildren.

Jerry grew up in and around Long Beach, CA, and went to college at California State University at Long Beach where he studied Mathematics. After school, he worked in the defense industry as a computer programmer / software engineer on many high-profile defense projects for the Navy, the Taiwanese Air Defense and NATO’s European radar network.

During his time in the defense industry, his friend set him up on a date with the woman who would eventually become his wife. Strelsa, along with her daughter from a previous marriage, DeeDee, would follow Jerry to Europe as he worked on various defense projects there.

After returning to the US, Jerry and Strelsa’s son, Robert, was born. Jerry, Strelsa, and Robert would move to Fountain Valley, CA, where they invited missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints into their home and would eventually become baptized and join the church.

Jerry transitioned into private-sector software within the material handling industry working for Eaton-Kenway in Utah, Logisticon in California, and eventually moving to Wisconsin to work for Harnischfeger. Throughout his career in this industry, he rose from Engineering Manager to Vice President of Engineering.  Jerry would then strike out on his own to form a consulting business, Logistic Data Systems, which was then followed by a management buyout of their vendor, LIS in the UK (and the companies with which they subsequently merged).

Fifteen years ago, Jerry, his son, Robert, and another business associate formed a new venture, Retail Architects, to create software for home furnishings retailers and he worked here until his death.

In 2003, the Church created a new ward (congregation) in Fort Mill and called Jerry to become the Bishop.  He faithfully fulfilled this calling for five years and touched the lives of hundreds of families spiritually as well as temporally.

The family will receive visitors Thursday, February 8, 2024, from 5-6pm at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1883 Saluda Road, Rock Hill, SC 29730.  Funeral Services will be held immediately following at 6pm.  Light refreshments will be available at the church after the service.

The Service will be livestreamed for those who cannot attend at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN1xsHVxGo4

A private burial service will be held on Friday, February 9, 2024.