Henry Neftzger Jr.

Henry James Neftzger, Jr. was born on April 6th, 1940, to Marie Rose Bastien Neftzger & Henry James Neftzger, Sr. Henry spent his early childhood years in Kankakee, Illinois, until the family relocated to the Lake of the Ozarks in Camdenton, Missouri. Henry spent his teenage years on Lake of the Ozarks, where his family owned the Hyd-a-way Cove Resort. At age 18, Henry enrolled in Missouri State University, where he was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity. Following his time at MSU, Henry enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve where he was stationed in San Diego on the U.S.S. Henrico. Following his time in the Navy Reserve, Henry moved to Springfield, Missouri and began a career in finance and telecommunications. Immediately upon arriving in Springfield, Henry met Dixie Nicholson to whom he would be married for 52 years. Their 52 year marriage was blessed with three adoring sons, Greg, Mark and Todd. Career promotions took the young family to many communities in Kansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. In 1975 Henry relocated his family to Pryor, Oklahoma, where he began a long career at American Bank, which eventually became a part of Bank of Oklahoma. Henry ended his banking career at the Pryor location as President and local CEO. Upon leaving banking, Henry began the next chapter of his long career with an 18-year tenure with the Grand River Dam Authority. Henry served the majority of his career at GRDA as CFO, Treasurer and Assistant General Manager of Finance. Henry's most proud accomplishments while at GRDA was leading the issuance of Revenue Bonds in 1987, in 1993, and in 1995, raising nearly $2 billion in public financing. In addition to community businessman, Husband, Father, and Grandfather, Henry found time and enjoyed serving the communities in which his family resided. Henry served his communities in many ways, some of which included: President of the Miami Jaycees, President of the Pryor Chamber of Commerce, President of Pryor Rotary Club, various positions on the Pryor Public Schools Board of Education for more than 15-years, Council Member for the City of Pryor, member on the Municipal Utility Board for the City of Pryor; and member of the First United Methodist Church. In his retirement years, Henry enjoyed volunteer work as a driver for the DAV, as well as spending time with family and friends. Henry is survived by: wife Dixie, of the home; son Mark and partner Ty Jenkins of Dallas, Texas; son Todd and wife Angela Neftzger, and family of Owasso, Oklahoma; daughter in law Julia Neftzger and grandchildren Korben and Gretchen, of Pryor, Oklahoma; sister Patricia Hevalow of Safety Harbor, Florida; mother in law Aldora May Tune of Mountain View, Missouri; sister in law Dorothy Wilbanks of Springfield, Missouri; brother in law Frederick Cortese of Palm Harbor, Florida; aunt Geraldine Shoff of Chandler, Arizona; nieces Cathy and husband Patrick Rice of Clearwater, Florida, and Cindy Bany of Sorrento, Florida; nephews, Jason Wilbanks of Springfield, Missouri, and Joe and wife Donna Cortese of Sebastian, Florida; the Leonard L. Gibson family, and other extended family including many cousins and friends. Henry is preceded in death by his son, Greg and his father Henry Neftzger, and Mother and Step father Leonard and Mary Rose Gibson, and brother in law, Ed Wilbanks. Memorial services for Henry will be held at 2:00 p.m., Thursday, April 14, 2016 in the First United Methodist Church in Pryor with Pastor Rick Robart officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to joyinthecause.org or to the First United Methodist Church - Pryor Memorial Fund. To leave his family a message, please visit his Book of Memories at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service.

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