Dr. James David McNeely

James "David" McNeely, 85, passed away peacefully on Sunday June 2, 2024, at his home in Louisville, Kentucky. Born in Cincinnati Ohio, Sunday April 16th, 1939 to James Lee and Mary Jeff Jordan McNeely. David impacted many in his community throughout his life. After graduating from Monticello High School (1957), Wake Forest University (1961), and Medical School at The University of Louisville (1965), he completed his residency in Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical Center in Ann Arbor. David devoted his life to helping others, serving as Medical Director of Norton Psychiatric Clinic, Our Lady of Peace and Central State Hospital. He was also the founder of Louisville Psychiatric Associates, where he practiced General Adult and Adolescent Psychiatry. Over the years, David acted as Psychiatric Consultant to Gethsemani Trappist Monastery, Veterans Administration Hospital Louisville, Spring Meadows Baptist Orphans home of Louisville, and the Rivendell Hospital in Bowling Green Kentucky. He was a Visiting Professor at the Southern Baptist Seminary where he taught the Psychology of Religion and was an Associate Professor of Psychiatry in the School of Medicine at the University of Louisville.David married Wanda Jo Tackett in 1963, and they raised two children, Sara (James Moses) and Amy. David was not only a cherished member of the community but also a devoted father and grandfather who fostered in his children and grandchildren a love of art, music and nature that he embraced himself. His love for these things was evident in his hobbies, which included cycling, hiking, camping and canoeing, as well as photography, drawing and painting. David played the euphonium, piano and Native American flute. He played the euphonium as a member of the Commonwealth Brass Band and the IUS band, and volunteered as a low brass teacher at Western Middle, Shawnee High and the Brown School in Louisville Ky.David was by nature a caring, generous and supportive soul who made friends at the grocery store, doctors office, pharmacy, bank, restaurants, neighborhood, post office, gym, hospital and on the many trails he hiked all over the world, including the Isle of Barra, Scotland where he traced his family's lineage. He was preceded in death by his parents, James Lee and Mary Jeff Jordan McNeely of Frankfort KY; daughter Amy JoAnn McNeely of Louisville, KY ; his sister, Ann Manzanares of Denver CO. ; father-in-law Rev. Joseph R Tackett (Emma), and brother-in-law, Ronald Tackett of Warsaw KY. He is survived by his wife Wanda, daughter Sara (James Moses) grandchildren, Eleanor and Amelia Moses of Louisville KY.; brother, Samuel E. McNeely (Bonnie) of Murray, KY; Brother in law Danny Tackett (Freida) of Cynthiana KY; sister in law Brenda Tackett of Union KY; nieces and nephews: James Manazanares of Durango, CO; Shawn Rae Murdock of Walton KY; Owen Tackett of Lexington KY; Craig Tackett of Nicholasville KY; Nicole Molton of Georgetown KY and many more loving relatives. His loss is monumental, but his legacy lives on in his family, and the many people's lives he touched through countless precious memories.The family will receive friends Friday June 7th, 2024 from 4pm-7pm at Pearson's, 149 Breckenridge Lane in Louisville, Ky.Funeral services will be held on Saturday June 8, 2024 at 10am at Pearson's. Interment will occur at Cave Hill Cemetery following the service.The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Hosparus of Louisville c/o Development 6200 Dutchmans Lane Louisville, KY 40205.Arrangements under the direction of Pearson's, "Where Louisville Goes to Remember".Read Obituary