Dennis Ray Neely

Oh Denny, why does life have to be so unfair at times? You will be missed more than you know. It is so unfair that you were taken from your family and friends way before your time. You have touched so many lives!! Thank you for being such a positive influence in my life. You and Mud have always been there for my sis and I and I can truly call you family. There are so many wonderful memories, more than I can list.... I remember when I heard you were going to teach 6th grade and you got stuck with my class to start. That takes a brave soul haha. You were so wonderful and I loved all the life lessons as well as your love for History. Camp Progress was so much fun too! I never got homesick because you were there as a substitute for my Pops. So many childhood memories...parties, family gatherings with the Neely's and Tugaw's, the Conconully cabin....I absolutely adored your Mom, Wyoma! My most recent favorites are having Jager shots with you at Kater's wedding and sneaking a smoke from my mother and shooting the breeze with you and my Dad. Also how much you enjoyed the Mai Tai's I made for Mom's 60th Birthday. I think we both polished off most of that jug.:) You were such a kind soul with a wonderful personality! This has definitely rubbed off on your kids. They are such wonderful people with you as their role model and Dad. I love hearing the stories of how you hooked up Dad and Mom when you and my Dad played baseball together all those years ago. I just got to see those pictures again of you two in your yellow and green uniforms with the shaggy hair dos. So funny! My last wonderful memory of you was when all of you (Mud, Dad and Mom) were heading to Vegas to celebrate your 40th Anniversary. Thank goodness I got to be at the Jackson's to wish you all safe travels as they took you guys to the airport! You were cracking me up because you had the smallest suitcase and your "carry-on" was your coffeepot! You were so excited for Long Islands and casino time. You told me "never drink the free coffee, it's horrible!" Thanks for the advice! I got to give you a big hug and say good bye. I will never forget this moment. Thank you so much for all the advice growing up, including sports talk as well as all the support over the years. I am a better person because of people like you in my life! Big hugs and thinking of Madonna, Kate, Tyler and family. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. This is truly heartbreaking, love you all!