Major General Neil L. Eddins (USAF, Ret.)

1931 — 2026

Great fighter pilot, master of the fly rod, world-class storyteller, leader, loyal friend, and deeply loving husband and father—Major General Neil L. Eddins, U.S. Air Force (Retired), took his final flight to the heavens on June 26, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Early Life & A Cowboy's Heart

Neil was born in a log house on the Eddins’ homestead ranch in The Narrows, Thayne, Wyoming, to LaVell Gilby Eddins and Kathryn McNeel Eddins. Growing up in a bustling ranch cabin alongside his parents, brother Boyd, and extended family, Neil learned the value of hard work, grit, and humor amidst early hardships. A Wyoming cowboy and patriot at heart, he inherited a profound love for the outdoors from his father and the Eddins lineage. His passion for fishing was legendary—a trait so deeply ingrained it felt genetic, and one he proudly passed down to his own sons.

Neil graduated from Star Valley High School in 1950 and attended the University of Wyoming before answering the call to serve his country by enlisting in the U.S. Air Force in February 1951. Believing in lifelong education, he later completed the Armed Forces Staff College (1969), the Army War College (1972), and graduated with honors from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science.

A Distinguished Military Career

Neil’s military journey was nothing short of extraordinary. Beginning as an air policeman, he rose to the rank of sergeant before entering the aviation cadet program in 1953, graduating as a distinguished graduate and commissioning as a second lieutenant.

His first operational assignment was in June 1954 with the 452nd Fighter-Day Squadron at Foster Air Force Base, Texas. In August 1956 General Eddins served as an instructor pilot with the 45th Fighter-Day Squadron at Sidi Slimane, Morocco. Upon returning to the United States in August 1957, General Eddins was a flight commander with the 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Langley Air Force Base, VA. In May 1959, he was assigned to the U.S. Air Force Fighter Weapons School, Nellis Air Force Base, NV. While there he was an operational test and evaluation pilot, and instructor pilot. Subsequently he become slot man (#4) for the U.S. Air Force Aerial Demonstration Team (Thunderbirds) at Nellis Air Force Base from April 1959 to April 1961. Following transition training in F-105s, General Eddins was assigned to the 36th Tactical Fighter Wing, Bitburg Air Base, Germany, and remained there until January 1965. He then returned to Nellis Air Force Base as an F-105 instructor pilot with the 4526th Combat Crew Training Wing. In July 1966 he moved to the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing at Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, as a flight commander. While there he flew 100 missions over North Vietnam. He returned to Nellis Air Force Base in November 1966 and in January 1967 became commander and lead pilot (#1 Boss) for the USAF Thunderbirds. From February to July 1969, General Eddins attended the Armed Forces Staff College. After graduation he was assigned to Headquarters Tactical Air Command, Langley Air Force Base as chief, Fighter Training Division. In June 1971 he attended the Army War College and after graduation in June 1972, received a Bootstrap assignment to Shippensburg State College. Upon graduation the general transferred to Holloman Air Force Base, NM, in June 1973 as deputy commander for operations with the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing. He became vice commander of the 432nd Tactical Fighter Wing, Udorn Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, in March 1975. In June 1975 he returned to Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, and served as commander of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and relocated the wing to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, in December 1975. In May 1977 General Eddins returned to Tactical Air Command headquarters as assistant deputy chief of staff for logistics. He took command of the 1st Tactical Fighter Wing, also at Langley Air Force Base, in March 1978. General Eddins took command of the 552nd Airborne Warning and Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, OK, in September 1979

In the final role of his USAF career, his leadership extended to international defense diplomacy. In July of 1981 he assumed the position as Chief of the United States Military Training Mission to Saudi Arabia, acting as a crucial liaison and advisor to foreign military leadership and safeguarding strategic allied interests in the region. He retired from active duty in 1984 at the rank of Major General.

Over a decorated 33-year career, General Eddins became a command pilot with 5,600 flying hours, including 260 combat hours. He flew 100 combat missions over North Vietnam as a flight commander with the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing.

As a fearless combat pilot, his skill and valor under fire earned him some of the military’s highest decorations, including the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with four oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Air Medal with 14 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal and Combat Readiness Medal.

The Second Chapter

Following his military retirement, Neil brought his sharp leadership and negotiation skills to the private sector. Hired as Vice President with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing, he was placed in charge of a highly competitive international endeavor: selling 48 F/A-18 fighter jets to the Swiss military. Facing fierce competition from well-connected French adversaries’ Mirage 2000 and General Dynamic’s F-16, Neil ultimately closed the lucrative, long-term contract for his company. He continued to serve as a trusted consultant for another decade before celebrating his second retirement.

Family

At the center of Neil’s world was his family. On New Year’s Eve in 1958, he wed his lifelong partner, June Gravelle. Together, they mastered the art of military life, moving their two sons around the world. These frequent moves taught the family how to quickly build community and forge deep connections—a lifelong gift their sons Neil Jr. and Craig credit to their upbringing.

In their golden years, Neil and June divided their time between June’s hometown of Las Vegas and their beloved second home at Star Valley Ranch near Thayne, Wyoming, just miles from the old Eddins' homestead. They spent summers traveling the United States in their motorhome, visiting a vast network of family and cherished USAF friends. It was said there was hardly a state in the union or many places around the world where they didn’t have a connection. Back in Wyoming, Neil joyfully made up for lost fishing time, spending countless hours floating the Salt & Snake River with Craig and traversing the mountain streams. He was also a world-class storyteller who possessed the rare talent of never telling the same story the exact same way twice.

Legacy

Neil is survived by his devoted sons, Neil L. Eddins Jr. (wife Amber) and Craig H. Eddins; his ten grandchildren; and his three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, June Virginia Gravelle Eddins; his stepdaughter, Patricia Wegner; and his brothers, Boyd Lavell Eddins and Lael M. Eddins.

Services

A memorial service celebrating the remarkable life of Major General Neil L. Eddins will be held on August 14th, 2026. Following the service, he will be laid to rest with military honors at the Afton Cemetery in Afton, Wyoming.