Former West University Place mayor honored at funeral for his dedication to ‘every facet of the industry’

The City of West University Place remembered its former mayor John Neighbors at his funeral service recently.

“I think every member of the community truly appreciated John Neighbors, young and old alike. He was the kind of guy that could help others get as much done as they could. He was just that kind of guy,” Bob Higley said.

The 92-year-old ex-official died in late august, but his service took place at Houston's St. Martin's Episcopal Church on Oct. 26, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Born in 1928, the Ohio native, youngest out of a sibling group of three, studied economics at the University of Virginia and enrolled in the Air Force shortly thereafter in 1950, which led to his contributions at the Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio.

According to the Bradshaw Carter tribute site, him and his wife, who died nine years before him, resided in West U for more than five decades, and made large contributions to the Houston’s suburb’s city government.

“Dedicating himself to every facet of the industry, he studied, he trained, he supervised, he taught and he wrote,” Neighbors’ obituary read. “John’s articles on life insurance and ethical practices appeared in publications throughout the industry. He garnered invitations to speak at more than 100 state and local association meetings and conventions, and at international venues as well.”