Henry M. "Buster" Neely Jr.

Henry M. "Buster" Neely, Jr., 83, of Augusta, Kansas passed away Sunday, August 30th, 2009.
Buster was born in Texico, New Mexico on November 30, 1925, the son of the late Henry Mason and Elsie (Cross) Neely. He grew up on an 800 acre dry land farm in the community of Pleasant Hill in Curry County of Eastern New Mexico. Buster graduated from Pleasant Hill High School in 1942, and then served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.
He married Donna Dee Price on June 29, 1945, in Columbus, Kansas. Neely received his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Kansas State University.  He started his career as the Assistant Dean of the Mechanical Engineering Department at K.S.U. Neely was a pioneer in establishing KTI/KSU in Salina, Kansas where he served as the first President of the school after the closing of Schilling Air Force Base. He retired as a Mechanical Engineer from Boeing. His retirement years were spent with his wife managing their ranch near Latham.
He is survived by his wife, Dee of Augusta; son, James Price Neely and wife, Marla of Derby; sister, Jimmye Donahey of Clovis, New Mexico, and two grand-daughters, Lindsey and Arin Neely.
Viewing 1:00-8:00 pm, Wednesday with family to greet friends from 6:00-8:00 pm and service will be 2:00 pm on Thursday, September 3rd, 2009, all at Headley Funeral Chapel, Augusta, Kansas Burial will follow at Latham Cemetery. Memorials may be sent to the Latham United Methodist Church, Latham, Kansas.
Arrangements are by Headley Funeral Chapel 813 State Street Augusta, Kansas 67010, 316-775-7778 headleyfuneral@sbcglobal.net or www.headleyfuneralchapel.com