Donald Raymond Neely

Born: April 26, 1938    Died: July 11, 2016 Donald Raymond Neely, 78, passed peacefully at his home surrounded by his loved ones on Monday, July 11, 2016 in Lenoir City, TN. He was born April 26, 1938 in Patterson, California to Thomas and Elizabeth (Valerius) Neely. Space cannot accommodate all of the people who Don considered family and friends. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather and friend to all. He loved his work at a Nuclear Engineer for 40 years including serving as the lead Nuclear Regulatory Commission inspector at 3 Mile Island in 1978. He was considered an expert in the field of Radiological safety. In additional, he loved to landscape in his yard, boating with his family and simply just spending time with them.

Don is survived by his wife, Delphine of 45 years; daughter, Danita (Del) McCartney; and three sons, Daniel (Lisa) Neely, David (Jenn) Neely and Darren (Debbie) Neely; and eight grandchildren, Meghan, Sean, Tyler, Kyle, Annie, Aidan, Owen and Tate. Don was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Gene, Henry and Ross. A special thank you to the LVAD team at Vanderbilt University Hospital, CADES program at Concord United Methodist Church and the many dedicated and caring professional from Covenant Hospice. It is with full and aching hearts that the family will celebrate Don's vibrant and earnest life with a private graveside ceremony. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cades Program at Concord United Methodist Church at 11020 Roane Drive, Farragut, TN 37934. Click Funeral Home Farragut Chapel, 11915 Kingston Pike, is serving the Neely family.