Thomas Edward "T.E." Neely

Thomas Edward "T. E." Neely, age 85, of Pine Bluff, formerly of Herbine, died Friday, April 24, 2015 at his home. He was born Aug. 9, 1929 in Herbine, a son of the late Agustus Crawford "Gus" Neely and Lillian Terry Neely. Mr. Neely was a World War II Army veteran having served five years in Germany. He was a master electrician, contractor and the owner of T & N Electric, which he opened in 1954 in Pine Bluff. Mr. Neely retired in 2003 after operating his business for 49 years. Mr. Neely enjoyed coon hunting, was a member of the National Coon Hunters Association having served on the Board of Directors. He was a member and past president and board member of the following: Pine Bluff Coon Hunters Association, World Wide Coon Hunters Association, Little World Coon Hunters Association and Bluetick Breeder and Coon Hunters Association. Mr. Neely was an avid sportsman; he worked closely with the Arkansas Game and Fish to preserve the wildlife of Arkansas. As quoted in the Arkansas Democrat Gazette, Tom Neely of Pine Bluff always liked blueticks more than other hounds because he said the "minded him better." A lot of dogs can hunt, he said, but blueticks are the easiest to train. "After working all day, some people go golfing, some go fishing, and some go dancing, I coon hunted." Tom Neely was the only person enshrined in the American Coon Hunters Hall of Fame. Mr. Neely was a member of Greenlee Baptist Church. Mr. Neely was preceded in death by a sister, Lois Davis. Survivors include his spouse, Martha Owen Neely of Pine Bluff; two sons, Thomas Wayne Neely and wife, Jane of Pine Bluff, Robert Edward Neely of Lonoke; two daughters, Margaret Neely "Marty" Jackson of Pine Bluff, Brenda Neely of Pine Bluff; four step-children; two brothers, Elmer Lee "Sonny" Neely and wife, Dorothy of Herbine, James David "J.D." Neely and wife, Jerry of Herbine; one sister, Peggy Neely Young of Rye; five grandchildren, Julie Neely Young, Marc Gray, Neely Gray, Thomas Berry, Jessica Berry; four step-grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends. Visitation will be 2- 4 p.m., Sunday, April 26, 2015 at Buie Funeral Home in Rison. Funeral services will be 2 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2015 at Buie Funeral Home in Rison with Chaplain Mike Poye officiating. Burial will follow at Prosperity Cemetery in Herbine. Pallbearers are Tony McLemore, Gator Denis, David Neely, Scott Neely, Thomas Berry, Marc Gray, Robert Stephen, Randy Arnold, Chad Weeks, Marco Alejandro, Wayne Smith and Billy Stivers. Arrangements are by Buie Funeral Home of Rison. To send online condolences, go to www.buiefuneralhome.com.