Richard Leon Neely

Richard Leon Neely, 85 year old Godly man, departed this earth on February 16, 2012, to reside with his Heavenly Father after a long courageous battle with heart and kidney disease. Many people called Leon a true “Southern Gentleman” because of his kind, humble, quiet easy going manner, never asking much for himself, but always putting his family first.

Born in Columbia, SC on July 27, 1926; moved to Charlotte at age of 2, and in 1959 made his home in Pineville until his death. Some of his accomplishments included a Championship Medal awarded in 1939 for best marble shooter in Charlotte. “Gene Sarazen’s double-eagle at Augusta in the Masters was famous, but a Charlotte player also fired one Saturday. Richard L. Neely, using a 3 wood, canned his second shot on the 535-yard, par 5 sixth hole at Eastwood Golf Club,” as reported in the early sixties by The Charlotte Observer. His greatest accomplishments were teaching Junior boys in Sunday School and serving on the Board of Deacons for many years at Stough Memorial Baptist Church in Pineville. Many times he used his carpentry skills to serve Stough and he later became a member of Carolinas Cornerstone Church, Fort Mill, SC. He was a charter member of James K. Polk Masonic Lodge #759 and a member of the Scottish Rite.

During WWII, he served in the US Army Infantry in both the European and Asiatic-Pacific Theaters, and later worked for more than 34 years in the fire and sprinkler industry.

He was the son of Furman and Beulah Neely, and had two brothers, Herman and F.A. who also preceded him in death.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Wilma White Neely; one son, Jeff Neely, wife Julie and grandson, Josh of Fort Mill, SC; one daughter Sherri Neely Gamble, husband Vic and grandsons, Andy and Alex of Lancaster, SC; also, survived by his kind, loving sister-in-law, Edna P. Roberts of Pineville.

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 20, at 2:00 p.m. at McEwen Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Road, Charlotte, NC 28210, with the Rev. Barry Yates and Rev. Lee Davis. Interment will follow at Sharon Memorial Park. Visitation will be held Sunday, February 19, between 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carolinas Cornerstone Church, PO Box 938, Fort Mill, SC 29716 or the National Kidney Foundation.