Major Tommy Dennis Neatherlin, U.S. Army (R)

Major Tommy Dennis Neatherlin died peacefully on Monday evening, October 14,2024, in Abilene, Texas after a lengthy illness. He was 91. There will be a visitation for family and friends on Wednesday, October 23,2024, from 5 pm to 7 pm at Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road in Abilene. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 1:30 pm at the Hamil Family Funeral Home with his nephew, Eddie Drake officiating, followed by a burial service at the Texas State Veterans Cemetery with full military honors.

Major Neatherlin was born in Sweetwater, Texas, on October 11,1933, to Charlie C and Margaret McDonell Neatherlin. He was one of six children being Dovie Finley (Alvis), Gwin Neatherlin (Maria), Billye Charlene Wilson (Henry), Mary Ann Vause (Jim) and Charlie Wayne Neatherlin.

Growing up Tom joined the Boy Scouts. Never afraid to face a challenge, he worked very hard and one of his greatest accomplishments was earning his Eagle Scout Rank Award and the God and Country Award.

Tom attended school in Sweetwater and graduated from Newman High School (Sweetwater High School). He attended what was then Texas Technological College (Texas Tech University), Lubbock, Texas, graduating with a BBA in Economics and Finance and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U. S. Army. After entering the Army, he later attended Hardin- Simmons University under the Operation Bootstrap Program earning a BA in Journalism.

Tom's first assignment was with the 3rd Armored Division in Frankfurt, Germany, where, among other things, he served as the PIO officer for Elvis Pressley. After the Vietnam War started, he served three tours in Vietnam in Special Forces and was the recipient of numerous ribbons, medals and badges including three Bronze Star Awards for Gallantry in Action. Tom was very proud of having served his country.

After retiring from the Army, Tom eventually returned to Abilene where he would be closer to family in Sweetwater, it was at a party for singles that he became reacquainted with a former classmate from Sweetwater, Gayion Gee (McKelvey), and they were married on October 13, 1999. They were married for 25 years. They enjoyed dancing and were members of the Slipper Club, and traveling, especially going on cruises with friends. Tom worked as Distribution Manager for American Classifieds, where he made many lasting friendships, and retired at 80 years of age.

Tom's faith was very strong and he knew his bible! He was baptized in the First Baptist Church as a teenager in Sweetwater. After he and Gayion were married, he attended the Adventurers Class at Aldersgate Methodist Church with her and served as an assistant teacher in their class.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and two sisters and a grandson, Corey Ball. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, Heidi Ball and Gretchen Neatherlin-Yates and  husband, Scott, his sister, Mary Ann Vause, grandchildren Kenna Virt and husband, Chris, and Sean Ball and wife, Veranika, great-grandchildren Hadley and Trace Virt and Sia Ball, and family by marriage, son, Mark McKelvey and wife, Rose, grandson, Marc Eric McKelvey and wife,Tiffany, and great-grandsons Grayson and Gavyn McKelvey, and numerous nieces and nephews and his special furbaby, Muffin.

The family would like to extend special thanks to his faithful caregiver of five years, Donna A. with Visiting Angels, and a special nurse, Jan, at Mesa Springs Health Care Center, and his nurse, Sara, with Hendrick Hospice Care of Abilene.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Major Neatherlin's name may be made to Meals on Wheels, P.O. Box 903, Abilene, TX 79604

 or at https://www.mealsonwheelsplus.com/make-a-donation/ 

 or to  Aldersgate Abilene Methodist Church, 1741 Sayles Blvd., Abilene, TX 79605

 or  at https://www.aldersgateabilene.org/give  or a charity of your choice.