Allan Bakewell Neely Jr

Allan Bakewell Neely Jr., age 93, of Lakin, Kansas died Wednesday, November 20, 2013 at High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas. He was born August 4, 1920 in Salina, Kansas, the son of Allan Bakewell Sr. and Sophia (Johnson) Neely.

Mr. Neely grew up in Saline County in the farming community of Minneapolis, Kansas, along with helping his father on the farm; he raised cattle and was active in beef judging, both in high school and college. He graduated high school in Minneapolis, Kansas and attended Kansas State University, graduating in 1943 and while there met Juanita Nicholas. Mr. Neely enlisted in the Navy and served stateside as an Aviation Electronics Technician until 1946. Allan and Juanita were married on January 25, 1944, on the naval base at College Station, Texas. After serving his country, he settled with his family in Stanton County, Kansas. Mr. Neely taught school in Big Bow, Kansas for one year before taking a farming situation on the Mac Craig farm north of Johnson, Kansas which he farmed until 1965. Allan and Juanita raised four children on this farm and all graduated from Stanton County High School like their mother. Mr. Neely worked for Hesston Manufacturing, Lundall Equipment, and Cosco Homes before settling in Manvel, Texas in 1982, close to his son, Maylon, and his family. Mr. Neely worked several years for the Friendswood Church in Friendswood, Texas. The Neely’s moved to Garden City, Kansas in 1997 for full retirement. They were enjoying being close to family and friends in Stanton County. Juanita passed away in 1998. Allan attended activities and meals at the senior center for several years. He also spent many hours writing an autobiography to his children. Allan moved to Homestead Assisted Living in Garden City in 2006 and then to High Plains Retirement Village in Lakin, Kansas in December 2009, where he was living when he passed.

Survivors include his daughter, Norma Jean Nichols of Holcomb, Kansas; sons, Marlon Ray Neely and wife Sukoshi of Littleton, Colorado, Lowell Dean Neely and wife Shirley of Pearland, Texas; daughter-in-law, Dorene Neely; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two sisters-in law; and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Neely is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Juanita May Nicholas Neely; son, Maylon Kay Neely; son-in-law, Duane Nichols; and brother, Thomas Neely.

Funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Garnand Funeral Home Chapel in Johnson, Kansas with Pastor Richard Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow at the Stanton County Cemetery in Johnson, Kansas. Friends may call from 10:00 AM until noon on Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Garnand Funeral Home in Johnson. Memorial contributions may be given in lieu of flowers to the Senior Center of Finney County in care of Garnand Funeral Home, PO Box 715, Johnson, Kansas 67855.