Charles Robert Neely

Funeral service for Charles Robert Neely will be 2 p.m., Thurs., April 26, at Claremore Assembly of God. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery under the direction of Musgrove-Merriott-Smith Funeral Service & Crematory. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Wed. 1-8 p.m., and family will greet friends 6-8 p.m.

He passed away Sunday April 22, 2012 at the age of 60 years old.

Charles is the son of Charles M Neely and Norma Haddock, and was born in Tulsa on February 2, 1952. He was a graduate of Catoosa High School. He met the love of his life Darlene Powers while in high school. They married on July 11, 1970 in Catoosa, and enjoyed 41 years of marriage. He was "her one and only." He spent many years working for Red Bud Grocery and then went on to work many years as a store manager for SafeWay, where he retired. His love of flying led him to join the Oklahoma Air National Guard at the 138th Fighter Wing, obtaining a rank of Technical SGT. He learned to fly while he was in high school and he earned his pilots license before he even earned his drivers license. He spent many hours flying with his dad, sharing their love of flying. He enjoyed taking Darlene on many dates flying just about anywhere, he would often land in a field next to her parents house and pick her up. Charles and Darlene have two daughters, Tina and Tami, whom he loved deeply. He was a very loving father who was very involved with their life. He was always available and made sure his girls were always a priority and he was always there to offer his advice. He and Darlene started C & D Lawnmower Sales & Service in 1979, out of a one room building he built next to their home. The shop still remains a family business. He eventually moved the shop to its current location and have been going strong, even after they suffered a devastating shop fire in 1992. He rebuilt the shop and it has grown bigger and better ever year. He was well known for doing a total remodel on a whim when he became bored, and of course not everyone enjoyed the idea at the time, it quickly became a very long hard day of work for everyone. He built County Line Storage in Broken Arrow and ran it for many years. He enjoyed building and built many custom homes, he enjoyed every detail of it. He enjoyed traveling in their RV with the family and often took dinner rides with everyone on board. He was a huge Dale Jr Nascar fan and looked forward to those Sunday afternoons. His grandsons loved to watch with him while munching on a plate of bologna, cheese, chips and his famous green onion dip. He loved riding his Honda Goldwing and his grandsons sure loved riding with their Papa. He was blessed with 3 grandsons who were the light of his life, he was truly the best Papa in the world. He shared the love of baseball with his grandsons, and even built batting cages and a pitching machine room in the shop just so they could practice. He was at every practice and every game ready to cheer them on, he just loved it. He began banjo lessons late in life but he sure enjoyed his weekly lessons and it was always neat to hear his latest tune, he became quite good. He shared his love of music with his grandsons and they were often found listening to their favorite Zac Brown Band song in his truck, playing it far too loud. He was above all a hard working man who provided for his family and loved them dearly. He will be missed by family, friends and all who knew him.

He is survived by his wife, Darlene; his daughters Tina Baker and husband Bryan of Medicine Park, OK; Tami Means and husband Randy of Claremore; grandsons: Tristen Hilton, Tyler Hilton and Tanner Means of Claremore; Mother, Norma Haddock of Claremore; Father, Charles M Neely and step mom Laura Neely; Sisters: Sharon Taylor of Glenpool; Kathy Hentz of Claremore; Step brothers: Gary & Sharon Cupp of Ketchum; Dan Cupp of Tulsa; close family friend, Darin Weilert; his two beloved dogs Laci & Bella; and so many other family members and friends.