Obituary for E. Brian Neely
E. Brian Neely, age 52, Passed away Sunday, June 19, 2022 in New Lenox, IL. Loving father of Camden Neely, Atira (Kael) Lundberg, and Cian Neely. Cherished grandfather of Opal Lundberg. Beloved son of Janice Neely and Ernest (Ginny) Neely. Dear brother of Micah (Amanda) Neely and the late Drew Neely. Dearest uncle of Taylor, Keaton, Claire, and Paige.
A celebration of Life service will be held at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Brian lived his life in service to those around him. He spent many years as a pastor, serving churches in Florida, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. He also did extensive work in university church communities, teaching, and mentoring students in their religious lives. His work eventually translated into a passion for teaching, which he pursued whole-heartedly. He was close to finishing his dissertation for his PhD at UNLV at the time of his death.
During his life he passed on boundless knowledge to adoring students at Panajachel Colegio International in Guatemala and The Meadows School in Las Vegas. He also taught religious studies at the University of Wyoming for over ten years. His passion for the pursuit of knowledge and his ability to connect and communicate with students made him stand out in the world of academia. He will be greatly missed by all his students.
Outside of his career Brian was an avid sports fan. His specialty was soccer and there was never a year where he wasn’t coaching for his children, a local high school, or playing in an adult league for fun. When he wasn’t working or playing sports, he was reading Russian literature or philosophy, hiking and playing games with his family, and talking sports with his brothers and friends.
There is a hole left in our hearts by Brian’s absence but the sorrow we feel now is well worth it for the joy we had in knowing him.
A celebration of Life service will be held at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Las Vegas on Saturday, September 24, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
Brian lived his life in service to those around him. He spent many years as a pastor, serving churches in Florida, Idaho, Montana, and Nevada. He also did extensive work in university church communities, teaching, and mentoring students in their religious lives. His work eventually translated into a passion for teaching, which he pursued whole-heartedly. He was close to finishing his dissertation for his PhD at UNLV at the time of his death.
During his life he passed on boundless knowledge to adoring students at Panajachel Colegio International in Guatemala and The Meadows School in Las Vegas. He also taught religious studies at the University of Wyoming for over ten years. His passion for the pursuit of knowledge and his ability to connect and communicate with students made him stand out in the world of academia. He will be greatly missed by all his students.
Outside of his career Brian was an avid sports fan. His specialty was soccer and there was never a year where he wasn’t coaching for his children, a local high school, or playing in an adult league for fun. When he wasn’t working or playing sports, he was reading Russian literature or philosophy, hiking and playing games with his family, and talking sports with his brothers and friends.
There is a hole left in our hearts by Brian’s absence but the sorrow we feel now is well worth it for the joy we had in knowing him.