Leon P. Neely

Funeral services for Leon Preston Neely, 91, are scheduled for 10:30 AM, Saturday September 28, 2013, at Antioch Baptist Church, Sand Flat, Texas. Visitation is scheduled for Friday, September 27, 2013 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM at Caudle-Rutledge Funeral Home in Lindale, Texas. Graveside services will be held Sunday, September, 29, 2013, at 2:00 PM at the Sonora Cemetery, Sonora, Texas. Leon passed away in Lindale, Texas, on Monday, September 23. 2013. Leon Preston Neely was born January 20, 1922, in Leonard, Texas to Neomia Ann Leever Neely, and Josiah M. Neely. He married Frances Wood Neely, in 1942. Leon retired from Lone Star Gas after 35 years. While he was with Lone Star, he and Frances lived in Sonora, Llano, and San Angelo, Texas. He retired in 1981 and he and Frances moved to Tyler, where Leon and his son, Preston, ran cows on his Hitts Creek Ranch. The ranch was sold after Frances’ death in 1991. He married Jimmie Blackburn in February, 1992. He was a long-time member of the Lions Club, a volunteer fireman in Sonora and Red Springs, Texas, a World War II veteran, a Deacon in the First Baptist Church in Sonora, Texas, and in the Antioch Baptist Church in Sand Flat, Texas. He was also a member of the Smith County Baptist Builders which helped build small community churches. Leon touched many lives with his soft words, and had a big smile and a twinkle in his eye for all he met. As one of his grandsons said, “There have been men in my life who have set an example, but none better than you. You taught me what it means to live a Godly life, and you have been a good teacher.” Leon is preceded in death by his wife Frances Wood Neely, his parents Neomia and Josiah M. Neely, brothers, Mack W. Neely, T. Marvin Neely, Robert L. Neely, Noel J. Neely, sister Martha Neely Knowles, and stepson, Eddie Wayne McFarland. Leon is survived by his wife Jimmie Neely of Sand Flat, Texas, and children, Preston Neely and daughter-in law, Sarah Neely, of San Antonio, Texas, Frank Neely, and daughter- in- law, Martha Neely of Conroe, Texas, stepdaughter, Benita and son-in- law, Bob Turner, of Port Lavaca, Texas, and stepson Lynn McFarland, Sand Flat, Texas; five grandchildren, Joe and Amy Neely, San Antonio, Texas, Carrie Neely Coke and Charles Coke, Houston, Texas, Sawyer and Suzi Neely, Dallas, Texas, Mike Neely, Montgomery, Texas, Missy and Jonathon Abdalla, Conroe, Texas, step-grandchildren Adam and Amanda Turner, Flint, Texas, Troy and Lori Turner, Dyess AFB, Kristi Bruening, Dallas, Texas, Carrie and Hoss Scott, San Angelo, Texas, Lyndsey McFarland, Sand Flat, Texas, and Caleb McFarland, Red Springs, Texas. He is also survived by nineteen great-grandchildren.

Leon P. Neely

January 20, 1922 - September 23, 2013