Neil William Givens, age 58, of Anchorage, Alaska, formerly of Melba, Idaho, passed away of natural causes on May 22, 2023, near Trapper Creek, Alaska. He leaves behind his mother Peggy Forney of Nampa; his father Guy Givens and stepmother Judy Givens of Melba; his sister Jamie Givens of Nashville, Tennessee; and several extended family members.

Neil attended Melba Schools where he played trumpet and piano, excelled in football, and ran the 800 meters in track. After graduating from Melba High School, he attended American River College in the greater Sacramento, California area with a scholarship in Track & Field.

Neil spent time working for his father, both on the family farm in the Melba area and for the J.R. Simplot Company. He later joined a business based out of the state of Iowa as a contractor. He led construction crews across the country, from Idaho to Mississippi, building facilities for agribusiness.

A job as a wilderness guide and winter watchman at a hunting camp led Neil to the expansive state of Alaska. He also worked in construction on the Kenai Peninsula, Fairbanks, and Anchorage. He loved the independent spirit of the people and the Alaskan frontier. Neil was a cancer survivor who thrived after the disease went into remission.

At the time of his passing, Neil was a property manager for an apartment rental company, and he also served the Anchorage community by working with Client Services for the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission. In Neil's words, "I chose to return to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission to work because it is a place that was foundational to my success. My work at the Mission enables me to be engaged in helping others with their battles, to help them make sense of what for them is still a struggle. I can demonstrate for them that God is faithful and that there is a way through that very struggle."

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at the Melba Cemetery located at 7277 Baseline Road in Melba. A luncheon will follow the services at the Melba Senior Center. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Anchorage Gospel Rescue Mission, 2823 East Tudor Road, Anchorage, Alaska, 99507, or the Melba High School Athletic Department 6870 Stokes Lane (PO Box 185) Melba, Idaho 83641.