Obituaries

Bucky Neely

Funeral services for long-time Pinedale resident Charles M. "Bucky" Neely, 76, were held Saturday, Nov. 29, at Hudson's Funeral Home in Pinedale. Dr. J. Thomas Johnston officiated, and interment with military graveside rites followed in the Pinedale Cemetery. Bucky died at his home on Monday morning, Nov. 24, 2003.

Charles Myron "Bucky" Neely was born on Oct. 3, 1927, to James and Annie E. (Baker) Neely in Wagoner, Okla. Bucky moved to the Pinedale area in 1940 and graduated in a class of four from Pinedale High School in 1945. In November of that year, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was active in post-war Tokyo as a member of the 7th Cavalry.

Following an honorable discharge four years later, he moved back to the Pinedale area, and in 1951 married Lucy David of Merna. The two lived in the Daniel area, working on the Boyd Kelly ranch. Over the course of the next several years, Bucky worked as a mechanic for Isaac Trucking, Johnson Trucking and Anderson-Penton Chevrolet.

In 1961, he opened Bucky's Repair in Pinedale. In 1975, Bucky and his son, Gary, formed a partnership in Pinedale Hide and Fur. In 1982, Bucky and Lucy sold Bucky's Repair to Gary and became full owners of the Pinedale Hide and Fur business, where they began raising and breeding bobcats. Bucky and Lucy later sold the hide, fur and bobcat business and opened yet another business, Neely's Nursery.

For the past two years Bucky worked part-time at Bucky's Outdoors with his son Gary. He attended Our Savior's Lutheran Church on occasion and was a life-time member of the National Rifle Association. Bucky had a great love of music and enjoyed playing the guitar, fiddle, banjo and mandolin. He was instrumental in the founding of the Generation Gap Band.

Bucky is survived by Lucy Neely of Pinedale; children Gary and Ruth Neely of Pinedale, Mary and Dave Channell of Rock Springs, Ellen and Ward Staniforth of Evanston; siblings John Neely of Daniel and Faye Traverse of Littleton, Colo.; grandchildren Brian Calvert of Beijing, China; Carrie Morgan of Yucaipa, Calif.; and Kate Neely of Pinedale.

Bucky was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers and three sisters.

Memorial donations may be made to the Pinedale Food Basket, in care of Gary and Ruth Neely, Box 11, Pinedale, Wyo., 82941.