Cecil Nowlin Neely

November 23, 1933 - June 1, 2018

Retired Brigadier General Cecil Nowlin Neely, 84, of Madisonville, TX; passed away on Friday; June 1, 2018 at his home. A celebration of his life is scheduled for 2pm on Wednesday; June 6, 2018 at The First United Methodist Church in Madisonville with Rev. Patricia Wehn-Glowski officiating. The burial with military honors will immediately follow at Madisonville City Cemetery. The visitation will be from 5-7 on Tuesday; June 5th at Day Funeral Home Chapel in Madisonville. General Neely was born on November 23, 1933 in Navasota, TX to Cecil Jasper and Ruby Maguerite (Wooster) Neely and graduated from Madisonville High School. On April 18, 1958, he enlisted as a Private in The United States Army where he served his country proudly for twenty-nine years, and at the time of his retirement, he held the rank of Brigadier General. Soon after his enlistment, he married his high school sweetheart, Margie Lynn Hardy on April 26, 1958 and together, they had three children; Michael Lane Neely, Russell Nowlin Neely, and Susan Lynn (Neely) Standley. General Neely served one tour in The Korean War, two tours in The Viet-Nam War, served as a Staff Member of The Joint Chiefs of Staff at The Pentagon, and served as The Nation’s Duty Officer for The President of The United States Ronald Reagan and for The Secretary of Defense Casper Weinberger. During his career, General Neely was awarded numerous medals and citations including The Bronze Star, The Distinguished Service Medal, The Defense Superior Service Medal, and The Meritorious Service Medal. During this time; he graduated from The University of Nebraska with his Bachelor Degree, Sam Houston State University with his Master’s Degree, and from The United States War College. Upon his retirement from the military, General Neely began his second career serving his county from 1995 to 2007 as The Constitutional County Judge of Madison County and was a member of The Brazos Valley Council of Governments, where he served as Chairman for two years. In his later years; General Neely spent time traveling to watch his grandchildren playing sports; hunting, fishing, and spending time at the lake with his family. He followed Aggie sports with a passion, often taking his grandchildren and his grandchildren’s friends to Aggie sporting events. General Neely has been inducted into the infantry “Hall of Fame” at Fort Benning, GA; has been recognized as a “distinguished alumni” at Sam Houston State University, has been inducted into the “CHSS Wall of Honor” at Sam Houston State University, and he and his family have endowed a scholarship for the College of Business Administration at Sam Houston State University. General Neely has left a legacy of service and duty and will be greatly missed. General Neely was preceded in death by his parents and is survived by his wife, Lynn Neely; his children, Michael Lane Neely and his wife Karla, Russell Nowlin Neely and his wife Nancy, and Susan Lynn (Neely) Standley and her husband Jim; grandchildren, LeighAnn Fuchs and her husband Cody, Ryan Neely, J.D. Standley, Rusty Neely, Zachary Neely, Lexi Standley, and Jacob Neely; and great grandchildren, Rustyn, Charli Jo and Wyatt Fuchs. Serving as pallbearers are Cody Fuchs, Rusty Neely, Ryan Neely, J.D. Standley, Zachary Neely, and Jacob Neely. Serving as honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Andrews, Buddy Barrett, Ellwood Barrett, Sonny Dean, John Hardy, Retired Judge Art Henson, Retired General Al Jones, Roger Knight, Don Lasiter, Jim Standley, Alan Tinsley, Dave Ward, and Rick Welton.