Neeley Charles Lewis

1946 - 2025

Neeley Charles Lewis

Sep 4, 1946 - Sep 25, 2025

Neeley Charles Lewis was born on September 4, 1946, at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bryan, Texas, to Charles Franklin Lewis and Ruth Erin Neeley Lewis. Neeley spent his first year in Bryan before moving to California as Charles earned his PhD in Genetics from the University of California Berkley. The family returned to Bryan in 1951 where Neeley attended school through sixth grade. Upon Charles accepting a position with the Department of Agriculture in Washington D.C., the family relocated to Silver Spring, Maryland where Neeley graduated from Springbrook High School in 1964. Neeley went on to study Government and Foreign Affairs at the University of Virginia where he was a member of the Theta Chi Fraternity. He then returned to his Texas roots and graduated from Baylor Law School in 1971. After his admission to the Texas Bar, he began his fifty-year career as a lawyer in Bryan-College Station.

As fate would have it, a childhood neighbor (who happened to be a colleague of his future wife's father) mentioned that there was a young lady named Becky Sicilio that Neeley should meet. After planting that seed, the neighbor and Neeley's aunt played cupid and hosted a dinner where Neeley and Becky would "by chance" both be attending. And as the saying goes…the rest was history.

Neeley and Becky were married on August 25, 1973, at A&M United Methodist Church and honeymooned in New Orleans, Louisiana. That trip to New Orleans set off a fifty-year love affair with the city for them and their family. Neeley and Becky cherished frequent trips to New Orleans and amassed stories too many to count for both them and their family and friends that joined them there over the years. Neeley was always recognizable in the Cresent City with his tall frame draped in a madras plaid jacket or seersucker suit. Their last trip was over July 4th, where they visited all their favorite spots one last time including the Rib Room, Brennan's and Commander's Palace.

After returning from their maiden trip to New Orleans, Neeley and Becky settled into their forever home at 120 Lee Avenue in Southside, College Station and have never left the leafy tree lined street. Those who have visited the Lewis home can speak to the enduring hospitality that was always available. Memories abound for those who congregated around the wood burning fireplace in the den during winter months or on the sun porch pregaming before Texas A&M home football games with Neeley always nearby, holding court. The consummate storyteller and friend with a memory like an elephant, Neeley never met a stranger, was friends with everyone, and always made people feel like they were the most important person in the room.

Neeley's multi-faceted legal practice included serving as the College Station City Attorney and involved everything from high stakes criminal defense work, to helping people who had been injured because of someone else's negligence, to navigating complex banking or real estate matters, to helping people prepare for life after death. Regardless of your legal needs, Neeley was a man you could reach out to for trusted advice and advocacy. As the legal sector became increasingly specialized, Neeley possessed a unique versatility that allowed him to tackle basically any legal manner in an exemplary and compassionate manner.

Having both political ambitions and a desire to work for the betterment of Bryan-College Station, the State of Texas and his country, Neeley entered the field of politics. He served as Chair of the Brazos County Democratic Party for many years before stepping into the larger arena where he ran for Texas State Representative. Neeley proudly served as a Texas State Representative for District 14 during the 68th Session of the Texas Legislature. During his time in office, Neeley was a fierce advocate for children, teachers, Brazos County and Texas A&M University. While in office, his accomplishments included increasing teacher salaries, reducing class sizes and increasing benefits for retired teachers. Neeley was a co-sponsor of the Child Safety Restraint Law, revolutionary at the time in that it required young children to be secured in a child safety seat, ultimately saving thousands of lives. He was widely regarded as a talented legislator and maintained relationships with nationally, statewide and locally elected officials from both parties over the course of his life.

While Neeley graduated from the University of Virginia, he was a Texas Aggie at his core. Neeley immersed himself in Texas A&M upon his return to Bryan-College Station and remained engaged in all things Texas A&M for the remainder of his life. In his early days he served as President of the Aggie Quarterback Club and had season tickets for football, basketball and baseball. He never missed a home Texas A&M football game since his return to Bryan-College Station and rarely missed away games. Neeley was always the man in the maroon blazer, crisp white shirt and tie, whether home or away and whether 100 degrees or freezing. Just like his career as an attorney, he took these events seriously and felt that if you "show up, you show up meaning business."

Over the years, Neeley was friends with many within the Texas A&M athletic community and cherished these experiences and relationships. Later in life, Neeley because invested in the Texas A&M golf and tennis programs and forged relationships with both coaches and players. He treasured being able to impart life experiences and lessons to these coaches and athletes and was grateful for these friendships and connections.

As a lifelong member of the United Methodist Church, he enjoyed worship and discussion with friends and family at A&M United Methodist Church. And while being civic minded, he was active in the community serving as President of the Boys Club of Brazos County and as a member of the Brazos County Symphony board of directors. He enjoyed membership in the Sons of the Republic of Texas, College Station Lions Club and Bryan Rotary Club as well as the numerous relationships that emerged from his time in the organizations.

Neeley is survived by his wife Becky, brother Stuart F. Lewis and wife, Darlene, all of College Station, two children, Rachel Ruth Lewis Moore and her husband, Casey, of College Station and Stuart Barron Lewis and his wife Autumn, of The Woodlands and five cherished grandchildren, Lauren Moore, Luke Moore, Kate Moore, Graysen Lewis and Graham Lewis. The family wishes to thank Neeley's medical team at Baylor Scott and White Hospital, especially Doctor Juddi Yeh, for her compassionate and exemplary care.

As an added honor, on September 24th, Neeley's last day here with us, the Texas Flag was flown over the Texas State Capitol at the request of State Representative John Bryant in tribute to the Honorable Neeley C. Lewis.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be sent to the Texas A&M Foundation or A&M United Methodist Church. A visitation will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2025 from 5 p.m.to 8 p.m. at The Sicilio Residence, 126 Lee Avenue, College Station, TX. The celebration of life will begin at 2 p.m. on Friday, October 3, 2025 at A&M United Methodist Church followed by a reception at the Benjamin Know Gallery, 405 University Drive E., College Station, TX. Express condolences at www.CallawayJones.com.