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Neil Boyd Esmay

Posted 2020-10-11 by mhenderson
Published in Today's News Herald on Oct. 11, 2020 -
Lake Havasu City, Arizona -

Neil Esmay, of Lake Havasu City, passed away on September 18, 2020, at
the age of 92. Neil was born in Great Falls, Montana to Duane and Edna
Mae Esmay and was one of six children.

At 17, Neil lied about his age so he could join the Navy. He proudly
served his country during World War II and qualified for a WWII
Victory Medal.

After leaving the military, Neil moved to Kansas, where he met the
love of his life, Norma. They began their life together on April 2,
1950, and over the years, had three sons, Mike, Greg and Doug.

When Neil heard about a new city being developed by a lake in the
Arizona desert, he was intrigued, so he and Norma flew to Lake Havasu
City on the McCulloch flights to check it out. They saw a future
there, so they, with their sons in tow, moved to Lake Havasu City in
August 1967. In 1981, Neil began his own construction company, Esmay &
Son's Construction, and he became well-known for the quality homes he
built. As early settlers, and still long-time residents, the family is
considered Lake Havasu City Pioneers.

Neil loved fishing, wood carving and was an accomplished carpenter.
There wasn't anything that he couldn't make out of wood. He was also a
member of the Lighthouse Club and was responsible for helping to build
many of the lighthouses that dot the shoreline of Lake Havasu. Today,
you can see the Esmay Family Lighthouse, a replica of the Split Rock
Lighthouse, at the northwest corner of the Island, of which he was
very proud.

Neil is survived by his wife, Norma, sons, Mike (Susie), Greg (Nancy
Dreier) and Doug (Jan), grandchildren Ryan (Paula), Kristine (Michael)
Drebes, Cassie (James) Anderson, Alicia Esmay, Chancey (Desiree
Hensel), Denelle (Chris) Scanlan, Austin (Amanda) Esmay, and eleven
great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at the Community Presbyterian Church
on October 17, 2020, at 2:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to LHC
Lighthouse Club.

Services were entrusted to the care of Lietz-Fraze Funeral Home.





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