Douglas Ray McNeely

1932 - 2013

Douglas Ray McNeely of Fort Worth departed this life on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2013. He passed on at the age of 81. Memorials: In lieu of flowers and in his spirit, please make any memorial donations to the Cook Children's Health Care System in Fort Worth. He was born July 4, 1932, in Tahoka, the first son of the late Arlie Augustus McNeely and Goldie Faye Gray McNeely. After graduating from Tahoka High School, class of 1949, Douglas served in the United States Army and was honorably discharged as a sergeant and supply specialist in 1953. He went on to receive his BBA from North Texas State University in 1961. As a member and treasurer of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity he made good friends that lasted him a lifetime. Douglas worked in the aerospace industry as a logistics supply analyst for LTV Aerospace Corp., General Dynamics and Lockheed Martin. He was stationed at Edwards Air Force Base and later China Lake in California. While in California, he met and married the love of his life, Wanda Virginia Brooks, on June 9, 1967. The couple returned to Fort Worth, Texas, in 1979, where he continued on at Lockheed Martin and could again be close to his brothers and sister and their families. Doug loved hiking in the mountains and exploring the coastlines of California and was keen on trout fishing and camping in the High Sierras. He loved golf, a good card game and the annual basketball and chili cook-off roadtrips he would take with his brothers and sister. His grandchildren will remember Grandpapa playing and teaching them chess. An adept family historian, Doug succeeded in tracing his family's roots back many generations. Always interested in new technology, he embraced the IT revolution with great anticipation. He was a devoted and loving husband and family man. Always the West Texan gentleman, he would make himself available whenever the need arose. He was fond of Latin rhythms, soulful blues, West Texan melodies and the lament of Fado ballads. In accordance with his wishes, Douglas Ray McNeely will have his ashes returned to his native land of West Texas without further ado. May his memory linger on and comfort the hearts of all who knew him. Survivors: Douglas Ray McNeely is survived by Wanda Madison, his wife of 46 years; and children, Pamela and Richard Watkins, Maureen Brooks, Byron and Lis Brooks and Scott Brooks and Mary Horvath. He leaves behind six wonderful grandchildren, Gregory and Adam Sultan, Rebecca and husband Joseph Romero and Daniel, Patrick and Nicole Brooks. His two delightful great-granddaughters, Lorien and Coraline Romero, will miss their great Grandpapa dearly. Douglas is also survived by his two brothers, Gainerd G. and Dwayne K McNeely; sister, Carla A. Pickens; nieces, Melanie Haefli, Monica Gass, Kim Nadebaum and Merry Myers; and nephews, Tal McNeely and Justin Minor.