James Morton Neville

James Morton Neville of St. Louis, formerly from Edina, Minnesota, passed away on November 21, 2016, at the age of 77.
Jim is survived by his son Steve Neville (Renee Schwanke and her children Aubrey, Arien, and Lacy and grandson Greysen) of Grey Eagle, MN, and his daughter Marty Neville Hereford (Andrew) and his grandson, James Neville Hereford of St. Louis. Jim is also survived by his sister, Laurie Frenzel (Peter) of Middletown, CT and his sister-in-law Kathleen Neville (Boise, ID).
Jim was preceded by his wife of 54 years, Judie Neville who died on November 26, 2015, his parents, the Honorable Judge Philip and Maurene Neville, and his brother, Philip Neville Jr.
Jim graduated from Edina Morningside High School in 1957. Jim was described by his classmates as “long, lean and likeable” and we’ve been told that his shy demeanor made him a successful “chick magnet.” Jim obtained his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Minnesota in 1961 and on September 9 that same year he married the love of his life, Judie Proctor. After a short and very cold honeymoon in Duluth, Minnesota, Jim and his bride returned to the University of Minnesota, where Jim enrolled in Law School. Jim graduated from Law School, magna cum laude, in 1964. Jim was a member of the Order of the Coif and the Minnesota Law Review. After graduation, Jim joined the law firm of Johnson & Thompson (subsequently Thompson & Klaverkamp and eventually Oppenheimer Wolff & Donnelly) as an Associate and made partner in 1969. In 1970, he accepted the position of Associate Counsel at General Mills, Inc. and became Senior Counsel & Secretary in 1976. In 1983, Jim moved to St. Louis, Missouri and became the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Ralston Purina Company. Jim served in this role until his retirement in 2001. Jim cherished the role of mentor to many young lawyers and law students. A true believer in giving back to the legal community, Jim served on the “Justice for All” ball committee for the Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (1992-2001) and the Capital Campaign Advisory Board (1999-2001). Early in his legal career Jim often accepted in kind payment from clients who could not afford his fees.
Although Jim was not much of an athlete, he was an avid sports fan. He enjoyed watching professional and collegiate football and hockey and professional baseball. Jim actively participated in March Madness and the Frozen Four. Jim also followed high school sports, both in St. Louis and Minneapolis, including the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, which he followed every year. Jim proudly accepted his grandfather’s name of Bumpy. Bumpy loved to talk sports with his grandson and enjoyed hearing about Jimmy’s own athletic achievements. Bumpy enjoyed teaching Jimmy to play cribbage and they spent countless hours building Lego sets.
Jim was an exceptional bridge player. Before moving to St. Louis, Jim and his wife hosted “bridge weekends” at their cabin on Big Birch Lake, in Northern Minnesota, where they played bridge, smoked cigarettes, laughed, and drank martinis all weekend. Jim became a sought after bridge partner in St. Louis, playing in several different bridge groups. His wife eventually got used to friendly women calling him to play bridge. When not hosting bridge weekends, Jim and his wife enjoyed spending time with family and friends at the cabin. He loved taking the kids fishing and water skiing during the morning and in the afternoon he enjoyed relaxing on the porch with his favorite book on his chest. Jim was also a collector extraordinaire, having what we believe to be the only collection of books on playing bridge and the only collection of ice cream scopes.
Jim and his wife were active in St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Jim served on the Vestry, assisted St. Peter’s with the Capital Campaign, and served on the Search Committee in 2001 for the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Missouri. Jim was very charitable, supporting many organizations including City Academy and the Covenant House of Missouri. Jim lost two nephews to Cystic Fibrosis and so he was also a long time donor to the CF Foundation. Jim also served on the Board of Directors for The Repertory Theater of St. Louis, Crisis Nursery of Minneapolis, Goodwill Industries of Minneapolis, and the Park National Bank of St. Louis Park, MN.
A memorial service in celebration of Jim’s life will be held at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, Ladue on December 2, 2016, at 11:00 with a reception immediately following at Old Warson Country Club.
Memorial donations can be made to the Big Birch Lake Association.