Thomas "Tom" Charles Neill Iii

Thomas Charles “Tom” Neill III, 42, of Knappa, died Sunday, May 15, 2011, in Astoria.

He was born Feb. 4, 1969, in Fort Belvoir, Va., to Thomas Neill Jr. and Patricia “Oma” (Foley) Neill. His parents survive. His mother resides in Portland; and his father resides in Queen Creek, Ariz. He is also survived by step-parents Bob and Amy Carlton of Canby.

In 1987, he graduated from Wilson High School in Portland. In 1992, he graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in fisheries science.

On Nov. 18, 2000, he married Dena (Halsan) Neill in Sooke Harbour, B.C. She survives, residing in Knappa.

Mr. Neill was an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Columbia River and Estuary Fisheries Project biologist in Astoria.

Family members said he enjoyed holding hands on beach walks with his daughter, Oregon State University football, the Denver Broncos and gillnetting with friends. He loved the Columbia River, and was an avid sport fisherman, big game hunter, coin collector and Pokemon card collector with his son. He also enjoyed bacon and coconut, duck hunting, clam digging, family beach barbecues and bonfires, beach combing and family trips to Portland.

In addition to his wife and parents, he is survived by a daughter, Madison Neill of Knappa; a son, Thomas Neill IV of Knappa; two brothers and a sister-in-law, Sean and Kelly Neill of Portland and Adam Neill of Queen Creek; two nieces, Kate and Ellie Neill of Portland; two grandmothers, Margaret Foley of Helendale, Calif., and Wanda “Tutu” Neill of Aiea, Hawaii; a father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bob and Gladys Halsan of Knappa; a brother-in-law, Mark Halsan of Astoria; and a sister-in-law, Bonnie Pettit of Astoria.

A celebration of life and potluck will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, May 20, at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 204 W. Marine Drive. The family requests that guests dress in black and orange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the donation account of Dena M. Neill at U.S. Bank.