Lt. Col. James W. Neely Jr.

Lt. Col. James W, Neely, Jr., USAF (Ret.) 85, resident of Amherst, NH, died on July 6, 2023 at The Arbors of Bedford after period of declining health.

He was born on August 10, 1937 in Akron, OH, son of the late James W Neely Sr., and Pauline (Riggs).

He is survived by his loving wife for 53 years, Roselle (Dyer) Neely, his children: Pamella Neely and her husband Robert Hoffman of Santa Fe, NM; James W. Neely III and his wife, Claire and their daughters Logan, Leia, and Sadie of Virginia; a brother Jack Neely and wife Jill, Aaron Neely nephew and Allison Neely niece of Ohio. He was predeceased by siblings, Robert Neely of Akron, OH and sister Martha Jean (Neely) Parkhurst of TN.

“Jim” as he was known by many, was raised in Akron, OH. He was an outstanding scholar and athlete at Kenmore HS, and Akron University. He faithfully and honorably served in US Air Force. Jim’s career highlights included service in Alaska, the Pentagon, SAC AFB Omaha, NB, Hanscom AFB, MA. During a four-year tour at US European Command was on the battle staff for the Arab/Israelis War; and was on one of last technology aid missions in Iran 1977. Having earned numerous medals and awards: The Meritorious Service Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Award with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Air Force Commendation Medal. After AF retirement he worked 17 years for Sanders/BAE in Nashua, Merrimack and Hudson, NH.

Jim was a 40-year member of Amherst Lions Club serving as President and District Secretary/Treasurer. Lions International awarded him their prestigious Melvin Jones Fellow award and Amherst Lions also named him a Grant State Fellow for dedicated humanitarian service to NH. He was a long-time member of Amherst Golf League, an avid bass fisherman, and the ultimate avid Ohio State “Buckeye” football fan.

SERVICES: Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 13, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in the Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm St., Milford, NH 03055. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, July 14, 2023 at 10:00 AM in St. John Neumann church 708 Milford Rd., Merrimack, NH. A private burial will be at a later date in Mount Hope cemetery, Bangor, Maine.

In lieu of flowers: donations in his memory may be made to Lions Club International Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, or Bayada Hospice, Concord, NH.