Neil Yant
Recipient of The Doug Eakman Legacy Award 2026
Neil began working in pharmacy as a junior in high school in 1959. He attended a career night where he marked pharmacy as an interest. Fortuitously, one of his 22 classmates in a town of 1,000 had a family who owned the drugstore in town. His classmate’s father invited Neil to work in his pharmacy and thus began Neil’s 66 years in the practice of pharmacy.
Neil went on to attend Purdue University as the first class of the 5-year pharmacy program, graduating in May 1965 with his pharmacy degree. He continued working at his hometown pharmacy in Indiana throughout his studies.
Neil then entered the Army from 1967 through 1969 and while stationed at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, worked as a pharmacy officer.
Neil then went on to receive a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Missouri, where he continued to work in pharmacy at D&H Drugstore in Columbia, Missouri, throughout his studies. Neil eventually went on to co-own D&H Drugstore with 2 other partners, working at this local drugstore for many years.
Neil then retired to Kerrville, Texas, in 2004, where he provided pharmacy relief services across the state of Texas, often in his 5th-wheel trailer for longer stints. Neil worked often at Evans Pharmacy in Odessa, TX. When Bentley Holly, the owner of Evans Pharmacy, needed to take more time off during his tenure as TPA president, Neil came out of retirement and worked again full time at this local pharmacy. Neil continued working at Evans Pharmacy until 2025, when he officially retired his license, and concluded his 66 years of service in pharmacy.
Neil Yant has been a long-time friend and supporter of the West Texas Pharmacy Association. We have enjoyed his presence and personality throughout the many years of our annual conventions. It is our honor to recognize our friend and colleague for his contributions to pharmacy and service to communities across our country.