Dr. Neylan Anthony Vedros

Dr. Neylan Anthony Vedros, age 87, passed away peacefully on June 24, 2017 in Healdsburg, CA surrounded by his wife and daughter. He was born October 6, 1929, number 5 of 13 children, and grew up in Gramercy, LA graduating from Lutcher High School in 1946. He lived and worked most of his life in California. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Elizabeth Beryl Corbett of Shropshire, England, daughters Sally A. Vedros of San Francisco, CA and Philippa V. Welles of Malibu, CA and two grandchildren Nicholas and Natalie Welles of Malibu; seven siblings Lorraine V. Oubre of Lutcher, LA., Ralph G. Vedros (Jill) of Gig Harbor, WA, Mary Ellen Vedros of Baton Rouge, Carolyn V. Laurent of Ponchatoula, Eleanor V. Vincent of Harahan, Jennie Lee Vedros of Paulina, George P. Vedros (Debbie) of Mandeville, and long time friend of family Carol Ducote of Baton Rouge. He is remembered fondly by twenty-seven nieces and nephews and their families across the southern and western U.S. He was preceded in death by his parents Philip John Vedros Sr. and Solange Melancon Vedros; brothers Philip John Vedros, Jr and Julian Barry Vedros; sisters Beverly V. Lancaster, Wanda V. Jackson, and Ina Claire V. Gunter; brothers-in-law Edgar Lancaster, Robert Jackson, Walter Oubre, Raoul Laurent and Raymond Corbett; sisters-in-law Dottie Loviza Vedros and Jane Terrebonne Vedros. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Dr. Vedros continued his studies in biological sciences, receiving his PhD in Medical Microbiology from the University of Colorado. His career spanned 22 years as a professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Health. Dr. Vedros served 24 years in the U.S. Navy (Active & Reserves) retiring as a Commander in 1981. He served as Scientific Director of the Naval Bioscience Laboratory in Oakland, CA for 12. During the first half of his career, his professional research focused on neisserial (gonorrhea and meningitis) infections in humans. He was a member of the World Health Organization’s expert panel on bacterial diseases and contributed over a hundred publications to the field. Dr. Vedros later shifted focus to marine mammal diseases. He consulted for several aquatic animal organizations, including the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA as well as Ocean Park, Hong Kong. Dr. Vedros was an active member of numerous professional organizations, including the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine (IAAAM) where he served as president in 1985-1986. After retirement, Dr. Vedros continued his interest in animal medicine by founding Vedros Bioscience Labs and developing the CDerm line of skin care products for dogs, cats, fish, birds and horses using pure herbal extracts. Neylan was a stamp collector and gardener, and enjoyed many afternoons in retirement relaxing with his pipe and a crossword puzzle. His sense of humor, gentle laugh, and unique perspective on life will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by family and friends. His remains will be interred in the St. Joseph Mausoleum Paulina, LA at a later date.