A Brief Generational History

Dave & Suzie

Dave's dad and grandfather worked Johnson County ranch land and answered the call to serve: Dad flew with the Army Air Corps in WWII, and Grandad served in WWI. Between royal lineage and rugged Texas roots, Dave's heritage is a fascinating blend of English nobility and American grit.

Suzie hails from the heart of Ohio and remains an unapologetic Buckeyes fan—Go Bucks! (we don't hold it against her—much). She's the architect of our adventures, the baker of legendary banana pudding, and has very firm opinions about barbecue. Her Scottish and Irish heritage runs deep, and she brings that same pioneering spirit to everything she does—whether it's building gardens, creating art, or making friends in a new town.

The Roots of Our Heritage

Dave's ancestry traces back to the Godwins—specifically Godwin, Earl of Wessex, and his son Harold Godwinson, who became King of England in 1066. Yes, that Harold—the one who lost at Hastings. We like to think Dave's got the same resilience and political savvy in his DNA, minus the whole Norman Conquest thing.

Suzie's line traces back to Neil MacNeil, who arrived in North Carolina from Barra, Scotland in 1735, bringing 350 followers to the Cape Fear River region. The clan's roots run even deeper—all the way back to Niall of the Nine Hostages in Ireland around 400 A.D. My uncle Royce McNeill's tireless work as President of the Clan MacNeil Association of America for over 20 years helped preserve and celebrate our heritage for generations to come.