Neil E. Harrington passed away February 19, 2021 from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) which he had been fighting for some time.

He was born July 3, 1929 to Leo and Mable Harrington in Sheridan, Wyoming. After starting at the age of five, he attended Holy Name school for Grades 1 - 8. After that, he attended Sheridan High School where he preferred shop classes. He graduated when he was 16 years old.

After turning 17, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps where he was trained as a diesel mechanic. He was always proud to be among the last soldiers called to World War II. He served 29 months in the south pacific and was honorably discharged in 1949.

That fall he enrolled in Casper Junior College. He stayed there one year and then married Carlotta Osborn and went to the University of Wyoming, receiving a baccalaureate degree in 1952.

Back in Sheridan he tried several things and was lucky enough to begin teaching Vocational Agriculture at Sheridan High School. The family now consisted to two boys and a girl which went with him to Laramie to finish a Master’s degree in Agronomy in June of 1959. Early in 1960 a position opened in Clearmont, Wyoming, where he taught English, Algebra, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Vocational Agriculture.

In 1961, he found a job in Mabton, Washington teaching high school science. After four years there, he had the good luck to learn of a Vocational Agriculture opening at Natrona County High School where he taught for 15 years.

In 1980 he went to Pacific Power as the Reclamation Director at the Dave Johnston Mine. He retired from there in 1992.

Retirement lasted until his most recent bout with COPD.

A memorial service will be held at the First United Methodist Church on Tuesday, March 9th at 1:00 pm.

He has been cremated and his ashes will be inurned with his wife’s at the Oregon Trail State Veteran’s Cemetery.

He says, “Thanks to all for a lucky wonderful life.”

Oil City News - Mar. 9, 2921.