Neil Hunter Barrus, 88, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, returned to his Heavenly Father on Aug. 17, 2015, following a long struggle with Parkinson’s disease. Neil was born July 13, 1927, in Groveland, Idaho, to Ruel Melvin Barrus and Zina Emeline Hale.

He graduated from Blackfoot High School and served a year in the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II, then completed a 2 1/2 year mission to Samoa for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Following his mission, Neil married Betty May Denney in the Idaho Falls LDS temple. Neil and Betty were well-known for their phone calls serenading family and friends with “happy birthday” accompanied by Neil on his ukulele. Neil also played the saxophone and sang in the ward choir for many years.

In 1954 he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from Utah State Agricultural College. He then began a 32-year career with the Idaho Department of Transportation.

In 1962 the family moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, where they enjoyed all the outdoor pursuits of North Idaho including waterskiing, hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, firewood cutting and huckleberry gathering. He smoked “blue back” (kokanee) salmon caught from Lake Coeur d’Alene and made his famous sourdough huckleberry pancakes.

Neil was active in the LDS church throughout his life, serving in the Stake Presidency, and twice as Bishop. After he retired in 1986, he and Betty served a mission to Samoa. They also served in the genealogy library in SLC, Utah. They served a second mission to Denver, Colo., before moving to Nampa, Idaho, where Neil pursued his love of woodworking, crafting numerous furnishings for their home. Neil and Betty served a third mission to Nauvoo, Ill., and were temple workers for many years.

They loved traveling and shared many memorable adventures together. They have spent the last three years living with their daughter, Brenda, in Grantsville, Utah. Neil entertained many with his songs, games, puzzles, rope tricks and “hooey sticks.” His great love, kindness, wisdom, wit and humor touched many lives. Neil was the youngest of nine children.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Betty (Denney) Barrus; a brother, Ruel Barrus; daughters Pam (Rolf) Bitsch, Brenda (David) Petersen and Shauna (Mark) Comstock; and sons Ron (Tanis) Barrus and Denney (Allison) Barrus; 19 grandchildren and 49 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 21, 2015, at the Grantsville 9th Ward Chapel, 415 W. Apple St., with a viewing an hour and a half prior. Interment at the Grantsville cemetery. Services by Didericksen Memorial, (435) 277-0500.