The Honorable Joe B. McNeal

With heavy hearts, we announce The Honorable Joe B. McNeal, age 89, former Mayor of Mountain Home, Idaho, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, January 25, 2026.

Born November 4, 1936, in Ossining, New York. Joe B. served 26 years in the U.S. Air Force, retiring as a Master Sergeant. After completing his military career, he operated “Joe B. Q” Restaurant before beginning a distinguished path in public service.

In 1987, he became the first Black American and first military veteran elected to the Mountain Home City Council. He later served as Mayor from 2004–2008 and became the first Black person in Idaho’s history to serve in the Idaho State Senate and House of Representatives. Joe B.’s tenure as Mayor of Mountain Home included major facility upgrades, expanded commercial development, and the creation of the Urban Renewal District.

He helped establish both the Beautification and the Parks and Recreation Board to support long-term revitalization efforts through 2029.

He supported the 2004 expansion of the Mountain Home Public Library and oversaw the naming of Claire Weatherall and Don Etter Parks. Joe B. played a key role in bringing Marathon Cheese Corporation to the city, which opened in 2007 as Mountain Home’s largest employer.

In 2009, Joe B. was appointed to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights. As the Idaho State President and National Treasurer of the National Juneteenth Observance Foundation, he was instrumental in establishing the Mtn. Home Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday, and Juneteenth Day, making Idaho the fifth state to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

He served on the Board of Directors for the Idaho Black History Museum, the El-Ada Community Action Partnership, and was the President of the Boise, Ada, Elmore Branch of the NAACP, Co-founder and Advisor to the Mtn. Home Community Black History Committee.

On November 1, 2025, Joe B. and his wife, Mildred, were honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 80th Mountain Home Chamber of Commerce Installation Banquet.

Since 1978, Joe B. had been a devoted member of First Congregation Church, serving as a Liturgist, Usher, and Vacation Bible School teacher. He cooked for more than 30 years for the church’s Easter Breakfasts, MLK Celebrations, and Black History Month fellowship. As a Master Mason for over 50 years, Joe B. founded the Zem Zem Shriner Club in Mountain Home and served as President of the Eagles Club for the United Supreme Council Ancient Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Prince Hall Affiliation, NJ USA Inc. He was a member of King Solomon Royal Arch Chapter #12 and held numerous leadership roles, including Past Master, Past Potentate, and Past High Priest. A 33rd Degree Prince Hall Mason, he co-chaired the Recognition Committee for Idaho, Washington, and Nevada under the Grand Lodge of Idaho A. F. & A. M. and served as one of the co-chairmen of the Fraternal Friendship Banquet honoring Grand Masters visiting Idaho. Throughout his Masonic career, he served under 17 Past Grand Masters as Grand Junior Deacon, Grand Senior Deacon, SDDGM, and most recently as Chair of the Grievances and Appeals Committees.

Joe B. was also a High Priest, Honorary Past Imperial Potentate, Honorary Past Grand High Priest, Honorary Past Master of the Nevada Jurisdiction, and Honorary Past Grand Master of Washing F. & A. M. He was well known and loved for sharing Idaho potato pins across the United States.

Joe B. is survived by his wife of 70 years, Mildred F. McNeal, along with children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and extended family.

SERVICES Viewing: Friday, February 6, 2026 — 4:00–7:00 p.m., at Rost Funeral Home. Funeral Service: Saturday, February 7, 2026 — 11:00 a.m., First Congregation Church. Committal: Mountain View Cemetery. Repast: Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church — 2:00–4:30 p.m.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Joe B. McNeal Memorial Park Bench. Fund to be made to the First Congregation Church with Joe B. Memorial in the memo section and mailed (P.O. Box 659, Mountain Home, ID 83647) or First Congregation Church Women’s Fellowship of Mtn Home (P.O. Box 659, Mountain Home, ID83647) or City of Mountain Home, Parks and Recreation, Ready Set Play Youth Scholarship Program P.O. Box 10 Mountain Home, ID 83647) or City of Mountain Home Parks and Recreation Youth Sports Program (P.O. Box 10 Mountain Home, ID 83647)