Obituary of Joseph Randolph Neikirk

Joseph Randolph Neikirk passed away on December 22, 2012. He was born in Max Meadows, Virginia on May 29, 1928. He was the son of the late John William Neikirk and Bridye Armentrout Neikirk of Roanoke. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Charles William Neikirk, his sister, Bessie Lee White, and his son, John McClure Neikirk. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Eleanor McClure Neikirk, to whom he showed exemplary love and devotion. He is also survived by his sons, Jeffrey Alden Neikirk and his wife, Anne, Robert Charles Neikirk and his wife, Betty, and Christopher Rex Neikirk and his wife, Chris, and daughter-in-law, Christy Brown Neikirk; and six grandchildren Sarah Elizabeth Neikirk, Joseph Randolph Neikirk,II, Christopher Alexander Neikirk, Charles Fisher Neikirk, William McClure Neikirk, and Kathryn Ellen Neikirk. Mr. Neikirk was a 1950 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he played center on the famed 1946-1949 football teams, which played in the Cotton Bowl and twice in the Sugar Bowl. After graduation, he was the head football coach at Mooresville High School, Mooresville, NC for three years. In 1955, he began his career in an entry-level position with the Norfolk and Western Railway and progressed through numerous positions, concluding his career as Vice Chairman of Norfolk Southern Corporation, retiring in 1993. Mr. Neikirk served on numerous civic and philanthropic boards, including Virginia Institute of Marine Science and William and Mary 's Board of Visitors. Upon retirement, the Neikirks moved to Chapel Hill where they reunited with old friends. Mr. Neikirk spearheaded a fiftieth Sugar Bowl reunion football train trip to New Orleans that was affectionately referred to as the "Sentimental Journey". He also served as a board member of the UNC Educational Foundation. In gratitude to the University for his opportunity, Mr. Neikirk endowed a football scholarship, and in recognition for distinguished career Norfolk Southern Foundation established a professorship in the School of Education in his honor. He also enjoyed immensely his family, especially his grandchildren, who often accompanied him to Carolina sporting events. His thoughtful disposition and clever sense of humor will be missed by many. A Memorial Service for Mr. Neikirk will be held at University Presbyterian Church at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 27. The family will receive friends at a reception to be held in the home following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the UNC Educational Foundation, PO Box 2446, Chapel Hill, NC 27515. Online condolences may be sent to www.walkersfuneralservice.com.