Jay Neeley

Jay Miller Neeley, 80, of Orem, Utah, and formerly of Porterville, California, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2017, just 6 days before his 81st birthday. He was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 12, 1936, the youngest son of John Wesley and Annie Pearl Francis Neeley. He married Phyllis Joan Nielson on July 16, 1965, in the Los Angeles LDS temple.

After he graduated high school in 1955, he attended Brigham Young University and earned a bachelor's degree in education. He served for three years as a Spanish-speaking missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in southern Texas where he developed a life-long love for the Hispanic people, their culture and food. In 1976, Jay and Phyllis moved from the Los Angeles area to Porterville where they raised their family and lived for 30 years. Jay taught for 27 years at McFarland High School before retiring in 2004. He also spent many years teaching evening classes of English as a Second Language. Jay loved his students and he loved teaching. Jay's hobbies included stamp collecting, secretly writing poems, camping, traveling and taking photos. He also loved music, often breaking out in song if he heard a familiar tune. He was an active member of the LDS church and served in many capacities. He most enjoyed serving for years in the Spanish and Laotian LDS Branch Presidencies, quietly serving those in need.

Jay is survived by his loving wife of 52 years; his son Wesley (Sayda) Neeley; daughters Alison (Steve) Carter, Dawna (Danny) Bentley, Rachel (David) Dudley, Jessica (Shane) Farmer;  18 grandchildren; and his sister Nevada Carlson.  He was preceded in death by one sister Ilene Saunders.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 16, 2017, at 11 a.m. in the Orem 1st Ward Chapel located at 80 South 280 East in Orem, Utah. A viewing will be held one hour prior to the funeral service at the church. Burial will be in the Orem City Cemetery.

Condolences for the family may be left on this page.