Steven J. McNeil, 72, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 1, at his residence in Lakeview.

He was born Nov. 22, 1946, in Albany, the son of Fred G. and Frances E. McNeil.

Steve graduated from Junction City High School, class of 1965. Following graduation, he served in the Army National Guard for seven years.  He married Patricia Williams, and they had one son, Scott. They later divorced.

Steve moved to Burns, following his dream of being a buckaroo. He met and married Marilyn, and they had one daughter, Naomi.  He adopted Marilyn’s two previous children, Tina and Rod. Following his dream, they worked and lived on several different ranches in Harney County. They divorced in 1986, and Steve moved to Baker City-Haines, then to Seneca. After several years of ranching, he decided to get his degree in counseling and work with troubled juveniles. He worked in Vale as a corrections officer, then at the Oregon Youth Authority facility in Burns. He then transferred to La Grande, and finished his career as a juvenile corrections officer for Oregon Youth Authority Camp Riverbend and retired in 2017. He made many dear friends and really enjoyed working with the juveniles.

Throughout his years, Steve loved to hunt and fish. He loved spending time with his family. He really enjoyed and looked forward to the great summer fishing trips that he took every year with his very special friends! Steve had a huge heart for his beloved dogs, Sugar, Whiskey, Millie, and Jazmine. During his last couple of years, he got to spend some quality time watching his grandson in high school sports, and his great-grandchildren in their school programs. Steve will be dearly missed by his family and good friends, and he had a lot of them!

Steve is survived by his sister, Linda, and her husband, Del, of Albany; nephew, Mike, of Albany; daughter, Tina, and her husband, Vince, of Vale; son, Rod, and his wife, Patty, of Burns; son, Scott, and his wife, Julie, of Albany; daughter, Naomi, and her husband, Clint, of Lakeview; seven grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; uncles; and aunts.

At his request, there will be no services. Those who wish to remember Steve may make donations in his memory to either the Kids Club of Harney County, 267 S. Egan Burns, OR 97720, or Oregon Hunters Association, 67494 Market Lane, Cove, OR 97824.

Desert Rose Funeral Chapel of Lakeview, Oregon managed the arrangements.