Roll Call Tribute

Published in Midland Reporter-Telegram on Dec. 28, 2017

Roy G. Neely Jr.
Roy Griffith Neely, Jr., 90, of Midland, passed away Sunday, December 24, 2017 of injuries sustained in a traffic accident. Funeral services will be Friday, December 29, 2017 at 3:00 p.m. in Dallas at Restland Memorial Park. Roy was born in Kerrville, Texas on August 7, 1927 to Roy and Elizabeth Neely. He had four sisters that share wonderful memories of growing up in rural Texas. Roy spent a short time in the Navy at the end of World War II. He then attended Texas A&M where he graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering. His degree served him well when he ended up his career running the Texas Instruments plant in Sugarland, Texas. Roy left the corporate world in 1971 to work with his dad at the family dairy in Midland, Texas. He transformed the dairy in Midland County to an award-winning dairy, including in 1995 when he was awarded Texas Dairyman of the year. In 1949, he married Marjorie Purvis to whom he was married 47 wonderful years. To this marriage a son, David, and later a daughter, Lou, were born. When Marjorie became ill in 1995, Roy sold the dairy and took loving care of his wife until she died in 1997. In 2003, Roy meet Doris (Tinker) Lloyd on the popcorn aisle of the Midland HEB. They were married a few months later and enjoyed retired life together until his passing. Roy is survived by his wife, Doris, of Midland; son, David P. Neely and wife, Marie, of Austin, Texas; daughter, Lou Briley and husband, Robert Briley, of Abilene, Texas; and by seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by several step children and their families. Two of his sisters also survive him, Barbara Ross of Portland, Oregon and Leota Goodney of North Field, Minnesota. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Roy's memory be made to West Texas Rehabilitation Center, 4545 Hartford, Abilene, TX 79605 or Ethnos360; 312 West First Street, Sanford, Florida 32771.