Neil Andrew Miskimins
January 26, 1949 ~ December 28, 2020 (age 71) 71 Years Old
Tribute
Neil Andrew Miskimins, loving husband and father, passed away on December 28, 2020, in Bigfork, Montana. He was surrounded by his family. He was 71 years old.
Neil was born January 26, 1949 in Portland, Oregon, the only child of Dean and Dorothy Miskimins. As a youth, Neil played Little League Baseball in northeast Portland and was an avid lover of animals--especially his pet dogs. He also showed musical talent, excelling at accordion. He attended Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon. He was a key Ram Booster, and earned his degree in Psychology from the University of Portland in 1971.
While in college, Neil met the love of his life, Christine Clifford, at the Chancellor Club of Portland, and the two were married at St. John Fisher Church in Portland in July of 1970. Falling in love with Christine came with a signing bonus: ten brother and sister-in-laws. Neil often said they were like the brothers and sisters that he never had.
Neil and Christine were blessed with their first child Patrick in 1972, followed by Sean, Caroline, Laurie, Elizabeth, and Brian throughout the next seven and a half years. Neil was a loving father who thrived on being involved in his children's lives. Neil was always there whether it was helping with homework, helping them learn the ins and outs of their favorite sport, running them to their extracurricular activities, and more. He loved to involve his kids in what he was doing. He is remembered by his kids for his many kind letters and greeting cards, teaching them to always be on the lookout for a deal, and that expiration dates are a mere suggestion. His unwavering faith along with his gentle and kind spirit showed his kids how to live and treat others.
Neil served in the Oregon Air National Guard, and in the 1970s became a career salesman in Portland, Oregon. His territory would eventually expand to include the Columbia River Gorge and later the Oregon Coast. One of the highlights of his career was being able to bring his kids along on his many trips to the Gorge and Coast when they were on school breaks. After serving nearly three decades as a salesman, Neil hung up that hat and became an employee of his second home and beloved Parish, St. John Fisher in Portland. No matter what hat Neil wore, his faith was always at the forefront in everything he did. Neil served the St. John Fisher community both as employee and faithful volunteer from the 1980s until his retirement in 2015. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and led Saturday morning Communion Services for several years. Upon his retirement, Neil and Chris relocated to the beautiful Flathead Lake region of Montana in Polson. He quickly became connected and involved at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. He was known to all who encountered him as one of the kindest and most thoughtful people they ever met. He always remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and details about people’s lives and families.
Neil took fashion cues from no one. He would often pair a sharp vest with a flannel shirt and a ball cap. If the thing had pockets, it would fly with Neil. His taste in music was lively, and he often gave the fellow listener a lesson or fun fact about the song playing. A Chicago Cubs fan since 1981, Neil was elated for the 2016 season when the Cubbies won the World Series, ending the curse.
Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Dorothy, his aunt, Bernice Clairmore, brother-in-laws Raymond Clifford, Charles Clifford Jr., Robert Cahill, and sister-in-law Francesca Clifford. Neil is survived by his wife Christine of Polson, Montana, his six children Patrick, Sean, Caroline (Iggulden), Laurie, Elizabeth (Ramdass), Brian and their partners, twelve grandchildren, and many loving cousins, in-laws, and nieces and nephews.
Neil will be laid to rest in Oregon in the summer of 2021 in conjunction with a memorial service there. A small service may be planned in Polson in the next few months.
In lieu of flowers, offerings in Neil Miskimins' name can be made to Central Catholic High School, 2401 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97214 or St. John Fisher Parish, 4567 SW Nevada St, Portland, OR 97219. Condolences, memories, and questions about memorial services can be emailed to his son, Brian Miskimins at brian@andersonbroadcasting.com.
Neil was born January 26, 1949 in Portland, Oregon, the only child of Dean and Dorothy Miskimins. As a youth, Neil played Little League Baseball in northeast Portland and was an avid lover of animals--especially his pet dogs. He also showed musical talent, excelling at accordion. He attended Central Catholic High School in Portland, Oregon. He was a key Ram Booster, and earned his degree in Psychology from the University of Portland in 1971.
While in college, Neil met the love of his life, Christine Clifford, at the Chancellor Club of Portland, and the two were married at St. John Fisher Church in Portland in July of 1970. Falling in love with Christine came with a signing bonus: ten brother and sister-in-laws. Neil often said they were like the brothers and sisters that he never had.
Neil and Christine were blessed with their first child Patrick in 1972, followed by Sean, Caroline, Laurie, Elizabeth, and Brian throughout the next seven and a half years. Neil was a loving father who thrived on being involved in his children's lives. Neil was always there whether it was helping with homework, helping them learn the ins and outs of their favorite sport, running them to their extracurricular activities, and more. He loved to involve his kids in what he was doing. He is remembered by his kids for his many kind letters and greeting cards, teaching them to always be on the lookout for a deal, and that expiration dates are a mere suggestion. His unwavering faith along with his gentle and kind spirit showed his kids how to live and treat others.
Neil served in the Oregon Air National Guard, and in the 1970s became a career salesman in Portland, Oregon. His territory would eventually expand to include the Columbia River Gorge and later the Oregon Coast. One of the highlights of his career was being able to bring his kids along on his many trips to the Gorge and Coast when they were on school breaks. After serving nearly three decades as a salesman, Neil hung up that hat and became an employee of his second home and beloved Parish, St. John Fisher in Portland. No matter what hat Neil wore, his faith was always at the forefront in everything he did. Neil served the St. John Fisher community both as employee and faithful volunteer from the 1980s until his retirement in 2015. He served as a Eucharistic Minister and led Saturday morning Communion Services for several years. Upon his retirement, Neil and Chris relocated to the beautiful Flathead Lake region of Montana in Polson. He quickly became connected and involved at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson. He was known to all who encountered him as one of the kindest and most thoughtful people they ever met. He always remembered birthdays, anniversaries, and details about people’s lives and families.
Neil took fashion cues from no one. He would often pair a sharp vest with a flannel shirt and a ball cap. If the thing had pockets, it would fly with Neil. His taste in music was lively, and he often gave the fellow listener a lesson or fun fact about the song playing. A Chicago Cubs fan since 1981, Neil was elated for the 2016 season when the Cubbies won the World Series, ending the curse.
Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Dean and Dorothy, his aunt, Bernice Clairmore, brother-in-laws Raymond Clifford, Charles Clifford Jr., Robert Cahill, and sister-in-law Francesca Clifford. Neil is survived by his wife Christine of Polson, Montana, his six children Patrick, Sean, Caroline (Iggulden), Laurie, Elizabeth (Ramdass), Brian and their partners, twelve grandchildren, and many loving cousins, in-laws, and nieces and nephews.
Neil will be laid to rest in Oregon in the summer of 2021 in conjunction with a memorial service there. A small service may be planned in Polson in the next few months.
In lieu of flowers, offerings in Neil Miskimins' name can be made to Central Catholic High School, 2401 SE Stark Street, Portland, Oregon 97214 or St. John Fisher Parish, 4567 SW Nevada St, Portland, OR 97219. Condolences, memories, and questions about memorial services can be emailed to his son, Brian Miskimins at brian@andersonbroadcasting.com.
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