Wayne Douglas Neely

Wayne Douglas Neely

June 1, 1944 — January 4, 2018

Wayne Douglas Neely, 73, died Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018, at the Scott & White Medical Center in Temple, Texas, following a brief illness.

He leaves his son, Clint Neely and wife Robin Neely; his daughter, Ginger Cuellar and husband Juan Cuellar; five grandchildren; a niece and nephew, best friends Reed Eichleberger and Coach Lonnie Tackett; and many close friends.

Wayne was born on June 1, 1944, in San Antonio, Texas, and raised in Houston, Texas, the son of Edwin T. and Florence P. Neely (James), who along with his sister, Kay Patterson, have preceded him in death, and were all lifelong residents of Houston.

After graduating from Charles H. Milby High School in 1962, he attended Texas A&M, graduating in 1967 with a bachelor's degree in Range Science. Upon completing his degree, he joined the U.S. Army, where he was a Heavy Equipment Operator. He was wounded during the Vietnam war, earning a Purple Heart for his dedication and bravery. The discipline and patriotism he learned in the service never left him, as friends and family will attest.

After serving with the US Army, he met his wife, Pauline Adams, at a golf course and they were married in 1971 in Houston, Texas. Mr. Neely then had the opportunity to fulfill a life long dream of becoming a real cowboy. Later in 1971, he and his wife moved to Spicewood, Texas, to run the Cherry Springs Ranch for the next 20 years. He not only took pride in being a rancher, but truly appreciated the daily hard work and life lessons a ranch can teach a person. In 1991, Mr. Neely passed the ranch on to move to Marble Falls, Texas.

Mr. Neely had a passion for science and teaching. To fulfill his passion for teaching, Mr. Neely continued his education at Texas A&M and went on to receive a Master of Education in 1983 and the following year received his teaching certificate. For 25 years he taught at Marble Falls ISD, while also being the girls' golf team head coach, helping lead the Lady Mustangs to the 2004 district championship. He also earned the 1998-2004 District Champion Medalist and the 2004 District Coach of the Year. After retiring in May 2004, Mr. Neely returned to teach part-time the same year at The Falls, completing his career in 2018.

An avid golfer, he was a longtime member of Meadow Lakes Country Club receiving the award for Senior Club Champion.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Jan. 10 at the Marble Falls Church of Christ.