Rex Howard Neeley

Rex was born to Chester Howard Neeley and Delight Fern Neeley (Stroup) on June 17, 1943 in Marion, Indiana. He celebrated his 80th birthday this summer with a surprise visit from all of his siblings and many friends and family members. He graduated from Oak Hill High School in 1961. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force. He remained a very proud American for the rest of his life. After serving, he returned to Marion and started a family. This is also where he followed in his dad’s footsteps and started his career with Dana Corporation. He lived in Marion until 1985 when the family relocated to Wichita Falls, Texas. He retired from Dana in 1998. After retirement, Rex spent a few years in Arizona and Longview, TX before he moved to Sun City in 2005.

Rex’s absolute pride and joy were his daughters Tricia Delane Giessinger (Liberty Hill, Texas) and Kristine Neeley Nelson (Golden, Colorado) and their families. He loved spending time with his sons-in-law and his four grandchildren. He loved watching them play their sports and hearing about all of their activities. Everyone who knew Rex knew how proud he was of his family and how much he loved spending time with them!

Rex was a lifetime golfer and became more active with shuffleboard later in life. During his almost 18 years in Sun City, he met so many wonderful friends. He loved coordinating and playing in shuffleboard tournaments as well as laughing, talking about the Longhorns, and telling stories with his Sun City “family”. In his later years, one of his weekly fun activities was running the “Lady Pluckers” Shuffleboard Night. Since his passing, several of his friends have referred to him as a “Sun City Icon” who will be deeply missed. Through the years, he was also a member of the Elks and the American Legion.

Rex was preceded in death by his father, Chester Neeley; his mother, Delight Neeley; and niece, Jessica Delight Hunt. Survivors include his daughters, Tricia and Kristine; sons-in-law, Christopher Giessinger and Shawn Nelson; grandchildren Benjamin, Neeley and Maggie Giessinger and Ryder Nelson. Rex is also survived by his sisters Joyce Hunt (Thatcher, AZ) and Jeanne Neeley (Largo, FL) and his brothers Terry Neeley and Kevin Neeley (both of Largo, FL). Additional survivors include a host of nieces, nephews, and other relatives and countless friends.

Memorial services will be held Friday, October 20, 2023 at 3pm at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX 76542. A Celebration of Life Service will follow from 5pm to 7pm Friday, October 20, 2023 at Mulligan’s in Sun City, 150 Dove Hollow Trail, Georgetown, TX 78633.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Military Warriors Support Foundation https://militarywarriors.org/take-action

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.cookwaldendavisfuneralhome.com for the Neeley family.