George Douglas Nealey Jr.

NEALEY, George Douglas, Jr, a Dade City icon, who was born July 16, 1930, went home to be with our heavenly Father November 8, 2008. A native Floridian, George was born in Graceville and moved to Wachula in his teens. While hauling a load of produce through Dade City, he stopped for lunch at Russell' s Drive-In Restaurant, where he met his wife, Margie Childers. They married on Christmas Day in 1950. For the next 58 years, George would proudly call Dade City his home. Throughout his lifetime he enjoyed golfing and fishing, and he was an avid bowler in his younger days. He, along with his wife, took great pride in keeping his lawn and gardens in pristine condition. George retired from the hardware business six years ago, after nearly 30 years of hard work and dedication to his loyal customers. Prior to entering into the hardware business, Geoge worked at Dade City Hardware, Harper Furniture and Tatum & Johnson before spending the past 30 years at Case Brothers. If you are a resident of the Dade City area, you probably knew George and couldn' t help but love him; he always had a smile on his face and a story to share. He always knew exactly what you needed, where it was and even gave you the "know-how" to make your repairs if you asked. About this time last year, George fell victim to Guillain-Barre' Syndrome and lived out the past nine months of his life in the loving care of the staff at Hernando-Pasco Hospice, on Clinton Avenue in Dade City. He couldn' t have been in a better place, surrounded by kind, loving professionals who became part of his family and loved him and will miss him as much as we will. George joins his parents, three brothers and two sisters who have all gone before him. George leaves behind his loving wife of 58 years, Margie; three children, Bruce and his wife, Julie, Carmel and her husband, Lee, and Jeff and his wife, Kim. He also leaves behind the mother of two of his grandchildren, Becky Johnson. George was the proud Grandpa, or "Pop Pop" of his five grand-children, Briton and Robbie Nealey, William Lee Dickens, Ryan and Emily Nealey. George was also blessed with one great-grandchild, Brandon Nealey, son of Robbie Nealey. There are also several nieces, nephews, sister and brother-in-laws. George was a member of the Church of Christ in Dade City. Although George had been bedridden for the past nine months, members of his church family would visit him daily. George especially looked forward to the Sunday visits, when they would share their love for the Lord, sing some of his favorite hymns and share the Lord' s Supper with him. George enjoyed his time at the Hospice House. He made many new friends during his stay there, and loved every one of them. George knew he was saved by the grace of God and was not afraid of going home to Jesus. He had been ready to go for months, and now he is finally in God' s kingdom, surrounded by his loving family who have been waiting for him. A visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Wednesday at Hodges Family Funeral Home, located at 14046 5th St., downtown Dade City. George proudly served in the U.S. Army; his earthly remains will be laid to rest Thursday at Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Fla. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in George' s memory to Hernando-Pasco Hospice, 37441 Clinton Ave., Dade City, FL 33525. Pop, we love you, and we will miss you until we see you again in Heaven. Rest in peace.