Elvis R. Neie

Elvis Neie passed from this earth on December 13, 2015, at the age of 77. Elvis was born on January 4, 1938, the first of four children, to Elder and Rachel Neie, who preceded him in death.

Elvis was born in the small central Texas town of Cranfills Gap. To Elvis, his home town was “ that place that nurtures us – is carried with us however far we roam. Where we are from will always be with us wherever we are.” - quoting Cary Clack, a former and favorite San Antonio (TX) Express-News columnist. ‘The Gap’ always remained a part of Elvis, as it has for 20 or so Neie 1st Cousins who grew up with Elvis more as siblings than cousins.

With his parents resettling in the South Texas Valley in 1946, where his father transferred with Fordyce Sand and Gravel Company, Elvis graduated from Rio Grande City High School in 1956. After graduation, Elvis relocated to San Antonio and attended and completed studies at Draughan Business School. In 1957, Elvis married Janet Guffey of Rio Grande City. They made their home in San Antonio and he and Janet became parents of two children, Julie and Michael. Janet and her husband Harold, and their son Keith, remain part of Elvis’ loving extended family.

Elvis worked in the Business Office at Perry Shankle wholesale distributor on South Probandt for 10 years but in 1968 he began a 33+ year career in the Finance Department at the San Antonio Express-News. Elvis always enjoyed and appreciated his ‘newspaper family’ and also served on the Credit Union Board, E/N Corp volunteers, and Tour Club which offered frequent tours of the newspaper and production process to adult and children’s community groups.

In 1985, Elvis married Express-News co-worker and longtime friend, Grace (Hay), and she and son Nicholas (Nick) became the newest branch to his family. During 30+ years of marriage, Elvis and Grace enjoyed many travels including road trips visiting family, friends and sites across the USA and welcoming visitors into their home. Both Elvis and Grace retired from the Express-News in 2001.

As a teenager, Elvis loaded and flew regularly with a crop duster pilot and his love of flight never left him. In the 1970’s Elvis acquired his solo flight status, piloting a Cessna 150, but discontinued training when $13 per lesson seemed too expensive for a young father. In retirement, Elvis followed his passion for airplanes and flying to the San Antonio International Airport where he achieved 2000+ volunteer hours as an Airport Ambassador and proudly earned the organization’s symbolic Achievement Award – a cowboy hat. Later, Elvis enjoyed hearing airport and airline anecdotes as told by his son Michael and daughter-in-law Patty, both longtime employees of Southwest Airlines. Elvis also proudly served as National Reunion co-host, Ship’s Storekeeper and newsletter co-editor for his father-in-law Bill Hay’s World War II veterans’ organization, representing the aircraft carrier - USS Enterprise CV-6.

Elvis was so proud of his family and was the ‘go to’ guy for family projects and looked forward to his ‘Dad’s To Do ’ list. Elvis worked as he lived. He was a good husband, Dad and Pop; he was a good son and brother; he cherished being “Papo” to three granddaughters and 2 great grandchildren; he was a good and loyal friend to many. Elvis loved life’s simple pleasures. He loved fun times, the company of family and friends, Mariachi music, the messages and melodies of old church hymns and Elvis loved the Lord.

Elvis himself was easy to love and is survived by many who love him dearly: his wife, Grace; daughter Julie (Jeff) Etter, Dallas; son Michael (Patty) Neie, San Antonio; stepson Nick (Gayla) Maddern, Monument, CO; Granddaughters - Shannon Etter (Chase) Thompson, Ft. Worth; Erin Etter (Preston) Barnett, Denton; Amber Maddern, Monument, CO; Great grandson Reid Harrison Thompson and great granddaughter Brielle Parker Thompson, Ft. Worth; “Sis” Gloria (Byron) North, Arlington; brothers Bobby (Linda) Neie, Lubbock; Milton (Gloria) Neie, Pharr, TX; many cherished nieces and nephews; the Neie 1st Cousins and their families; the Hay Family in Illinois, Iowa and Wisconsin; and other family and special friends - near and far.

The family wishes to thank the staffs of Optum Palliative and Hospice Care, Visiting Angels Services and Anchor Safe Home Healthcare; staffs and Doctors Gordon Hill, Joycelyn Theard, Richard Wilks; The Liver Institute of South Texas. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Wounded Warriors, Salvation Army or Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Visitation will be held at Sunset Funeral Home Wednesday, December 16, 5:00-7:00PM. Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 17, 3:00 PM at Sunset Funeral Home Chapel with interment to follow at Sunset Memorial Park under “Elvis’ tree”.