District V Report - 2004/09
Jim McNeill 1923–2004
James Edward "Jim" McNeill, age 81, died on May 21, 2004. A 33-year member of the Executive Council, Jim was first appointed as an Associate Vice President in District V in 1972 and 1973. In 1974 he was elected District V Vice President (VP), then served as Secretary/Treasurer and later as Executive Vice President. Jim was re-elected District V VP in 1989 and served in that position until his death in May 2004.
Jim was a lifetime member of AMA and the initiator of the McNeill Cup, an award, regardless of age, for high time in FAI Power.
AMA service and contributions
- First appointed Associate Vice President, District V (1972–1973); elected District V Vice President (1974); served as Secretary/Treasurer and Executive Vice President.
- Re-elected District V Vice President in 1989 and served until May 2004.
- Initiator of the McNeill Cup (FAI Power award).
- Originated the Club of the Month award in District V and revived the practice in later years, adding a flag and patches for club members.
- Champion of club newsletter editors; in 1981, with Executive Director John Worth, originated the AMA National Newsletter (a compilation of articles, hints, and tips from club newsletters) and helped create the Aero Honor Society to recognize editors.
- Served as a Contest Director and Leader Member in both the Scientific and Administrative categories.
- Recipient of the Fellowship Award, AMA's highest honor.
Personal life and interests
One of Jim's passions was designing, building, and flying Free Flight models, but above all he enjoyed people. Most weekends found Jim and his wife of 57 years, Lucy, attending events throughout District V. He was never without his camera, taking "snaps" for his column and "pics" for his website, always ensuring that as many names as possible went with faces.
Jim photographed pilots and their airplanes and made a special point of photographing the families that supported these flyers and the club members who volunteered their time to organize and run events. He took pleasure in recognizing event organizers, contest directors, announcers, and the spouses who ran concession stands, always thanking them for a well-run event.
Military service, education, and other activities
A decorated veteran of World War II, Jim served in the Army Air Corps. His honors include the American Theater Ribbon; the European-African-Middle Eastern Ribbon with two Bronze Stars; a Good Conduct Medal; and a World War II Victory Medal.
Jim graduated from Georgia Tech with a degree in engineering and was a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity. He also held a Juris Doctorate from the Birmingham School of Law and was a member of the Sigma Delta Kappa honorary society.
He was a former VFW post commander in Bessemer, Alabama, and a co-founder of the Birmingham Chess Club.
Survivors
- Wife: Lucy Grovenstein McNeill
- Daughters: Sally McNeill Ebaugh (Kenneth Sherwood Ebaugh) and Lucy McNeill LeMaster (Kenneth Franklin LeMaster)
- Granddaughters: Lulie DeBardeleben Ebaugh and Lucy Anne LeMaster
- Sisters: Mrs. John Singleton (Camp Douglas, Wisconsin) and Mrs. Nancy Raufman (Janesville, Wisconsin)
Tributes
Ed McCollough, former District XI VP who served on the Executive Council with Jim for nearly 20 years, wrote:
"It was in the very early 1980s that Jim McNeill and I were introduced. Honestly, that first meeting is somewhat clouded by the passage of years, but my first impression of Jim was of a rather courtly gentleman, in both dress and manner. Over time, it was plain that his normal demeanor was soft spoken and reserved. Years of being at meetings did not change my first impression of Jim as a gentle man.
"Certainly Jim was passionate about modeling and the Academy, and he quietly worked to advance his goals. When faced with injustice, he worked diligently and successfully to overturn the original decision, an effort that demonstrated his innate courage.
"Jim McNeill and I served together on the AMA Executive Council for the better part of 20 years. It cannot be said that we agreed on everything, perhaps not even a majority of items under discussion. What can be said, though, was when Jim would introduce me to someone, he always said, 'This is my friend, Ed McCollough.'
"'Goodbye, old friend.'"
Gerald Mulvehill, president of the Birmingham R/C Club, wrote: "We all mourn the passing of our AMA representative Jim McNeill. Jim was so busy it was hard to pin him down long enough to spend much time with him, but I do value the few times we had together and was always impressed with his knowledge and devotion to our sport. He was one of the pioneers of our hobby."
Jim McNeill's dedication to the sport and hobby of aeromodeling and to AMA will be missed.
Transcribed from original scans by AI. Minor OCR errors may remain.
