Ricky Royce Neely

RICKY ROYCE NEELY Memorial services with full military honors will be held for longtime Cahone and Yellow Jacket resident, Ricky Royce Neely at 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 8 at the Lewis Arriola Community Center. There is a potluck dinner scheduled for family and friends immediately following the service. Ricky Royce Neely was born May 10, 1958 in Cortez, the son of Renay and Nita Neely of Cahone. He passed away in his home in Yellow Jacket on October 30, 2014. Ricky had two younger brothers, Rocky and Bob Neely. He came to know and accept the Lord at a young age. Ricky attended Dolores County High School and participated in wrestling and rodeo club. Ricky graduated from Montezuma-Cortez High School. Not long after graduating high school, he joined the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. and was assigned to the 82nd Air Born division. Ricky married Lori Newby of Lewis on August 9, 1976. During their union, Ricky was blessed with a son and two daughters. He returned to Montezuma County after his tour in the U.S. Army and worked for the Montezuma County Sheriff's office as a Deputy. Ricky continued on to work for Mobile Oil as an electrician. This became his lifelong occupation, later retiring from Intermountain Farmers Association in Cortez. Ricky re-married June 28, 1987 to the love of his life, Denise Marie Valerio of Dolores and instantly became blessed with another son and a daughter. Ricky was an avid sportsman and enjoyed many things in life including hunting, fishing, camping, gold panning, rock repelling, ranching, watching NFL football and horseback riding. Most of all, he enjoyed spending time with his family, friends and his beloved dogs. Ricky is survived by his paternal grandmother, Annie Mae Neely of Cortez; his parents, Renay and Nita Neely of Cortez; his brothers, Rocky and Beverly Neely of Yellow Jacket, and Bob Neely of Pleasant View; his wife of 27 years, Denise Marie Neely of Yellow Jacket; his sons, Micky Dee Neely of Grand Junction, Colo., and Dustyn and Karen Neely of Mary Esther, Fla.; his daughters, Misty and Levi Schoonover of Olathe, Colo., Shannon Neely of Cortez, and Misty Williams of Moore, Okla.; as well as 12 grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, extended family members and friends. Ricky was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents; older brother, Steven Renay Neely; his paternal grandfather, Prentis Dee Neely; and nephew Nicholas Renay Neely.