Neal Capel

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Neal Conrad Capel, M.D. 1928 a€" 2011

Neal passed away, February 4, 2011 with family by his side. He was born on January 4, 1928 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Ernest Henry and Harriet Magdiel Capel. He was the oldest of six children; all of which preceded him in death except his sister, Sandra (James) O''Connell of SLC.

He graduated from West High School, and served an LDS Mission to England. He met his wife, and devoted companion, Lucy Rae Seely, a Registered Nurse from Mt. Pleasant Utah, and they were married in the Salt Lake Temple on June 9, 1950. They shared the love of medicine, family, travel and the gospel of Jesus Christ and were rarely ever apart for 61 years.

After graduating from the University of Utah, he received his medical degree from the University of Maryland in 1955. He graduated top of his class and was offered internships of notable prestige. After completion of his internship, he was commissioned a Captain in the US Army Medical Corps and served as a General Medical Staff Officer. After his military service, he returned to Salt Lake for a residency in orthopedic surgery at LDS and Primary Children''s Hospitals. He practiced in SLC for nine years. In 1971 he moved his family and practice to St. George where he spent the next 22 years. Neal was a true medical pioneer and was the first orthopedic surgeon in St. George and the only Orthopedic Surgeon between Provo and Las Vegas. He delivered the full spectrum of orthopedic surgery -- hand, spine, foot, ankle, traumatology, and joint replacement surgery with great love and compassion for all of his patients, they were his #1 priority. His operative command of the specialty was extraordinary. For over 41 years, he practiced medicine in SLC, St. George, Las Vegas and Madison, MS. He was truly a "Man for All Seasons."

Neal had a tremendous passion and thirst for knowledge and teaching. He possessed a great mind and talent for architecture, history, photography and gardening and could transform the desert into a rose. He served in many callings in the LDS church including gospel doctrine teacher and a member of the High Council. Neal and Lucy served as temple ordinance workers in the St. George, Las Vegas, Baton Rouge and Oklahoma City Temples. He was a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, "Christ was his Master Friend."

He is survived by his wife, Lucy Rae and eight of his nine children whom he deeply loved: Malcolm (Sue Ellen), Chicago, IL; Celeste Capel, Farmington, UT; Jonathan (Briary), SLC, UT; Jocelyn (Todd) Weight, Syracuse, UT; Christopher (Marilee), Casa Grande, AZ; Adam (Cari), Kaysville, UT; Winston Timothy (Noelani), Madison, MS; and Jason, Bountiful, UT. He and Lucy have 28 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by son Jeffery.

Funeral services will be held at 11 am Sat. February 12, 2011 at the Val Verda 9th Ward Chapel, 3317 S. 800 W., Bountiful. Friends may visit Friday from 6-8 pm at Lindquist''s Bountiful Mortuary, 727 N. 400 E and 9:45a€" 10:45 am at the church prior to services. Interment Salt Lake City Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the LDS Church Perpetual Education Fund at www.pef.lds.org