Jack Neff

1937 - 2017

Gaffney, S.C. – Jack David Neff, 80, of Gaffney, passed away peacefully with family at his side, on Friday, November 3, at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center after a recent illness.

Born in Kimball, West Virginia, he was the son of the late Arthur F. and Sarah Woodward Neff of Roanoke, Virginia, and husband of the late Barbara Ann Neff.

Jack graduated in 1956 from Jefferson High School in Roanoke, Virginia. He served his country, first as a Marine, and in the United States Air Force. He came to Gaffney as the manager of McCrory's Dime Store. He later worked for E.H. Jones Jewelers before opening his own store, Rutherford Jewelers, Inc., in Rutherfordton, N.C. He was a GIA certified gemologist. After retiring, he worked part time at Ingles in the bakery before being asked to work with longtime family friend Jeff Shipley at Ship Shapes.

His favorite hobbies included cooking and baking. He was rather famous for his fabulous cheesecakes. He enjoyed gardening, reading, and cooking for family and friends. He was a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church. He was a quiet spiritual man who loved the Lord. He drew his strength from reading the Bible from cover to cover many times. He truly enjoyed helping people and loved what he did. He was a great daddy and the greatest joy of his life was his girls.

He had an amazing strength of spirit. He didn't know the meaning of the word quit. He battled and beat stage 4 colon cancer 13 years ago, through the grace of God and the wonderful people at the Gibbs Cancer Center in Spartanburg.

He leaves behind his two daughters, Leslie Neff Brown and husband James (Bucky), of Gaffney, Paula Neff Meador and husband, Steve, of Mount Pleasant, S.C., two sisters, Shirley Neff Reed (Bill Peters) of Roanoke, VA, Sue Neff Gray (Ronnie) of Vinton, VA, two nephews, Mark D. Reed (Shae), Andy Gray (Jean), and a niece, Anne Gray Kidd (Doug).

We wish to thank the many doctors and nurses who have cared for him, especially the staff at the Heart Center at Spartanburg Regional, Dr. Rodak, Dr. Grieshop, Dr. Pati, and Chrystal Humphries, NP.

The family will receive friends from 1:30 until 3 p.m. on Monday, November 6, 2017 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church. Memorial services will immediately follow at 3 p.m. at the Church with Rev. James (Bucky) Brown officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memorial and Honor Gifts, P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148-0142 or St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1600 W. Floyd Baker Boulevard, Gaffney, SC 29341 or Cherokee County Humane Society, P.O. Box 2223, Gaffney, SC 29342.

The family will be at the home of James (Bucky) & Leslie Brown, 135 Coventry Court, Gaffney.

An online guest register is available at www.blakelyfuneralhome.com.

Blakely Funeral Home & Crematory, Gaffney, S.C.