Lee Neeley

Elmer "Lee" Neeley, 84, of Topeka, Kansas, passed away peacefully at Stormont-Vail Hospital on Thursday, March 26, with his family by his side.

Lee was born on September 11, 1930, to Claude and Pearl Hall Neeley in Scranton, Kansas. He grew up in Topeka where he graduated from Topeka High School in 1949, a member of the class often referred to as the '49ers.

From 1949 to 1951, Lee worked as a clerk for Hills Milling Co. before serving in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1953. During the Korean War, Lee received the Good Conduct Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal while being deployed in Japan, Okinawa and Guam in the 5th Material Recovery Squadron. After his discharge from the Air Force, he worked for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. from 1954 to 1990 as a member of Local Union 307 of the United Rubber Workers' Union.

Golf was Lee's passion and only real hobby. He was an avid golfer having competed at the state level for the Topeka High team from 1946 to 1949. In 1949 Lee was one of four Topeka teen-agers that swept all titles in the Kansas High School Golf Championships. In 1961 and 1962, Lee won the city golf championship. He remained a dedicated golfer for the entirety of his life, having competed in numerous tournaments as well as the Golf Senior Olympics. He loved the game of golf so much that the Topeka Capital-Journal captured him in a picture on the front page of the sports section some years ago playing golf at the Lake Shawnee course as soon as the snow melted off the greens. Lee was also fortunate enough to have the opportunity to play a round of golf at the Awase Meadows Country Club in Okinawa while he was stationed there.

Lee married and had three children, Sherry, Tim and Scott Neeley. In 1973, Lee remarried Marzetta Whitlock-Schmidt, giving Lee two step-children, Susan and Dianne Schmidt. Lee and Marty were married 40 years, living in Silver Lake and then Topeka before Marty passed away on January 20, 2014.

Lee had three brothers, Ken, deceased, Glen, also deceased, and Mel Neeley of New Mexico, and two sisters, Violet Hause, deceased, and Bonnie Dolsky of Georgia. Lee is survived by his three children, Sherry Root, Topeka; Tim Neeley, Topeka; and Scott Neeley, Iowa; as well as his two step-children, Susan Winters, Frankfort, and Dianne Dodson, Burlingame. He is also survived by 16 grandchildren: Talor, Regan & Madison Neeley, Reed and Aaron Endsley, Jason, Sean & Tyler Root, Christopher and Rachel Neeley, Creighton Winters, Emily Winters Gunn, Chelsea Winters Jackson, Merritt Winters, Zach and Boone Dodson, and 17 great-grandchildren. He will always be fondly remembered as "Grandpa Lee."

Lee was a member of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, the American Legion Post No. 1, and the Loyal Order of the Moose, Lodge 555, all of Topeka.

Lee will lie in state after 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2015 at Penwell-Gabel Mid-Town Chapel, 1321 SW 10th, Topeka, Kansas 66604, where the family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Funeral service and entombment will be at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Mount Hope Mausoleum Chapel, 4700 SW 17th, Topeka, Kansas 66604. Memorials contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

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