A visitation for Thomas will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas. A funeral service will occur Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 1:00 PM, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, Texas. An interment will occur Tuesday, November 26, 2019 at 2:15 PM at Holy Cross Cemetery, 17501 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, Texas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Neeley family.
His parents were Oscar Thomas Neeley and Velma Gustan. Thomas was raised in Olympia, Washington. Even as a youngster, Thomas learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.
Thomas was raised with two sisters, Darlene Hanson and Sandy Ransom. Thomas had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Thomas, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced. Tom enter the armed services in 1945 in order to help support his mother and two sisters.
Tom met and married his sweetheart Anna Zirlott in 1954 in Pascagoula, Mississippi. They continue their journey through multiple military assignments and locations where they became world travelers.
Thomas was ever watchful of his children. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Thomas was blessed with four sons, Larry (wife Peggy), David (wife Inez), Thomas, Jimmy (wife Patricia) and one daughter, Renee Davis (husband Gene). Tom and his wife were also blessed with nine grandchildren: Tabitha Hendren (spouse Daniel), Eric Orr (spouse Amberlina), Diana Colvin (spouse Tommy), Alexander Neeley, Melissa Stevens (boyfriend Brett Sprankle), Shanna Finney (spouse John), Amanda Davis (spouse Dedric), Shane Davis (fiancé Sara Harris), Miranda Neeley (boyfriend Kris), and Cody Neeley. He also has 15 great grandchildren: Conner Orr; Lexi Davis, Kaalel Colvin, Nakayala Sprankle, Daniel Orr, Tristen Orr, Kaylana Sprankle, Kiana Colvin, Noel Orr, Melia Stevens, Karlie Orr, Faith Davis, Maverick Hendren, Millie Stevens and Luke Davis. Tom also has numerous in-laws,nieces, nephews and extended family.
Thomas was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Thomas upheld his standards as a US Air Force Non Commissioned Officer. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. He started his military career at Kessler AFB. Tom served in multiple state-side and overseas assignment to include San Antonio, San Angelo, Germany, Philippines, Japan and Hawaii. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He received several awards recognizing for his service, including a Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force and Army Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Medal, Air Force Longevity Ribbon and Air Force Marksmanship Ribbon. Upon retirement he became a Real Estate Broker and CEO of Tom Neeley Realty.
Thomas approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. His favorite pursuits were fishing and hunting. Thomas was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with his family and friends. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Dallas Cowboy football and San Antonio Spur basketball.
Thomas belonged to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. A civic-minded person, Thomas was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. He was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Throughout his years, Thomas was part of the congregation of New Life Baptist Church where he enjoyed Christian fellowship. He was an active member and leader in the Lions Club, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Bass Masters, Flying Anglers Club and the Converse Volunteer Fire Department. Politically, Thomas was enthusiastic Trump supporter.
Individual recognition wasn’t a motivating force for Thomas; rather, when he saw that there was a need to get something done, he was more than willing to give his time and energy in order to see it accomplished to include real estate transactions for the city park, fundraising for various organization or serving as a elected community partner. He received the American Legion Lifetime Longevity Award representing 50 years of service; numerous Bass Master/ Flying Angler Trophies and awards.
When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Tom used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. Tom had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Yellowstone National Park, Alaska and the Vegas Strip.
When Thomas’s retirement finally arrived in 1972, he was well prepared. His post military life involved relocating to San Antonio,Texas. In retirement, he found new pleasure in fishing, hunting and military/civic organizations. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. As Tom's mom always said "294 100 pounds" (I love You).
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