Neil Golson

COOLIDGE - Neil Clayton Golson, 82, of Coolidge died July 3 in Casa Grande.

Visitation will be at 9 a.m. Friday at J. Warren Funeral Services, Cole & Maud Coolidge Chapel. Services will be there at 10 a.m. Burial will be at Heritage Valley Memorial Park in Coolidge.

Mr. Golson was born Aug. 20, 1932 in Fruitland, New Mexico, to Juanita and Tom Smouse. As a boy he traveled and lived all over the United States, settling in Coolidge in 1945 with his family. In 1949, he married Jewell Bedford, the love of his life. They had been married 66 years on June 9. He was a man of many talents, which included working at the Boswell Cotton Gin, United Metro and started his own trucking and harvesting company. In 1978, he started farming with his son, Clayton, and son-in-law, Greg Morrow. Cotton farming became his passion, leading to the purchase of his own land and the beginning of M&G Farms.

Mr. Golson was recognized as Farmer of the Year in 1990 for his hard work and stewardship of water conservation. He was a successful farmer, always willing to help another learn about a new seed or product. His family was the most precious part of his life; he loved to be surrounded by family. In earlier years he could be found at the pool hall hustling unsuspecting victims, playing dominoes under tamarack trees with old codgers, water skiing on weekends, bowling with his wife in a mixed league, taking motorcycle rides with friends or spending time at his cabin in Pinetop.

He is survived by his wife, Jewell Golson; one daughter, Juanita Morrow; one son, Clayton; two brothers, Jay Smouse and Dewey Smouse; seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.