Johnnie Louie Neeley, USAF Retired E 6

John was born March 7, 1933, in Birmingham, AL, to John Otis Neeley and Elise Dollahite Neeley and died May 28, 2011, at the Ocean Springs Hospital of a massive heart attack. He was 78 years old. He enlisted in the Air Force in May 1948 at the young age of fifteen. He received his initial training at Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX. John served during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He served two tours on Johnston Island, two tours in Hawaii, one tour in Alaska and two tours at Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS. He was instrumental in Project Long Shot on the Aleutian Islands in 1965 and received the Air Force Commendation Medal. He retired while stationed at Eglin Air Force Base and accepted an engineering position with TRW. After retiring from the Air Force he moved his family to Ocean Springs, MS in 1972 to become an Engineer/ Technical Writer for Litton Industries. John graduated from the University of West Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree. He retired from Ingalls in 1979 due to severe heart problems. He was preceded in death by his son, Steve David Neeley, and a favored nephew, Rodney Gunn. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife, Ruth Kee Neeley of Ocean Springs; his daughter; Juana Sue Neeley (David) Roy of San Antonio, TX; daughter-in-law, Belinda Parchert Neeley of Biloxi, MS; four grandchildren, John E. Guice, JR. of Ocean Springs, MS, Jeri Susanne Talbert Dunn of Fallon, NV, Lauren Nichole and Jason David Neeley of Biloxi, MS; six great grandchildren, Dakotah Odem, Bryant and Isabelle Dunn of Fallon NV, Emily Mitchell and Ashton Neeley of Biloxi, MS and John E. "Trip" Guice, III and Ayla Guice of Ocean Springs, MS; two sisters, Martha Ann Stafford of Attala, AL and Patricia Gunn of Pace, FL; two sisters-in-law, Jeri (John) Edge of Pensacola, FL and Mary (Mack) McDaniels of Fountain, FL. John is a member of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Ocean Springs, MS and made Cursillo in March 1984 at the Dedeaux Cursillo and Community Center. He is a former member of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and the D'Iberville Community Club. He was also proud to be a member of the Perfect Ten Club and had a special love for its members. Visitation is Tuesday, May 31, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home in Ocean Springs with recitation of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, June 1, 2011 at 12 noon at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where friends may visit a half hour before service time. Interment will follow at 1:30 p.m. at Biloxi National Cemetery with full military honors. Not only was John a gentleman, he was also a gentle-man. He was a loving and caring person with a heart of gold. Donations may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society of the St. Alphonsus Catholic Church, 502 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs, MS 39564.