Edward Charles "Chaz" Neff Jr

1947 - 2025

Edward Charles "Charlie" "Chaz" Neff Jr., 78 of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, Oct. 9, 2025
Mr. Neff was born Sept. 2, 1947, in Pittsburgh, PA, to Edward Charles Neff Sr., and Catherine T. O'Bryan. Charlie was a lively, bright and industrious child, at a young age he became enamored with all things electrical and mechanical. From age 7-8 he was constantly seen carrying around an issue of "Popular Electronic" or "Popular Science". He was an avid reader and his interests were numerous. He was quite knowledgeable on many subjects.
At age 7 he was a "Polio Pioneer" in a group of children in a large clinical trial by Dr. Jonas Salk, in Pittsburgh, for the Polio Vaccine.
He attended high school in Staunton VA, at R. E. Lee High and Staunton Military Academy.
His obsession with all things, electrical-radio, radar, generators and sound blended with his love of his Hammond B-3 organ/ with Leslie. While he attended high school, he played that organ in a band "The Imperials". He played by ear. He was also an avid Ham Radio Operator. And he truly LOVED his dogs.
After high school, he was hired by IBM as an Electronic Tech, in 1968 was drafted into the Army/Vietnam.
With his all-inclusive skills he quickly rose the Rank of E-5, SP5-Avionics, and led a team of technicians as an Instructor in Maintenance/repair/troubleshooting for the famed UH-1, "Huey" helicopter, keeping them flying. He was stationed at "Bearcat" in Long Thanh, in Dong Nai the province in southern Vietnam.
Upon returning from service, he worked again at IBM in Atlanta, Ga, as an electronics specialist, then AT&T, Prime Power (industrial generators), and then retired from Delta Airlines. He lived most of his adult life in Chamblee, Ga. (Atlanta).
He married Diana Cioban Neff in 1999, whom he deeply loved until her death in 2024. He and Diana had moved up to the North Georgia Mountains in Sautee Nacoochee, where Chaz was residing when his battle with AML/Leukemia began.
His daughter in law, Erica Upchurch Sheehan, was his main caretaker, and apparently his personal Guardian Angel. Words cannot express the gratitude the family has to her, nor to describe her consistent devotion and excellent attendance that she, along with her husband Greg Sheehan, demonstrated in their care of Chaz.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his wife Diana, and stepdaughter Sondra Sheehan
Survived by his stepson and daughter-in-law, Greg and Erica Sheehan; loving grandchildren Kennedy Sloan and Meredith Lee; sisters, Kathleen and Steve Buchanan, of Pittsboro NC, Christina and Fung Chin, of Charlotte NC, and Mary and Kirk Hurst, of Tulsa OK; and several nieces and nephews.
Charlie will always be in our hearts, and he will be missed by all.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 P.M. Friday, October 17, 2025, at The Chapel of Barrett Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Yonah View Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends from 12:00 P.M.-1:30 P.M. Friday at the funeral home, prior to the funeral service.
Anyone wishing to donate in his name, please do so:
White County Animal Control (shelter and adoption), 680 Industrial Blvd., Cleveland, GA 30528
OR: The Augusta Regional SPCA, 33 Archery Ln./ P.O. 2014 Staunton VA
To share a memory or to leave an online condolence for the family, please visit www.barrettfh.com
Barrett Funeral Home of Cleveland | (706) 865-3101