John William Neely, Sr.

John William Neely, Sr. (98), lifelong resident of Hardeman County died on June 10, 2025. Born in Bolivar on November 18, 1926, to John Olion Neely and Sarah Hazlegrove Neely, he moved to Middleton with his family the following year. John attended school in Middleton and was the president of the Middleton High School class of 1944.

After graduating, John attended the William R. Moore School of Technology in Memphis before volunteering to serve in World War II. In March of 1945, at the age of 18, he was sworn into the Army Air Corps. Following basic training, he served in the Philippine Islands. He returned home in December 1946 and joined his father as a partner in the family business. In 1959, he bought out his father’s share and became the sole owner of Neely’s Service Station, eventually shifting his focus to the tire business.

Over time, John began purchasing tires jointly with other local service station owners of nearby towns. This collaboration led to the founding of CBI Tire Company, a cooperative purchasing group for small tire dealers, which continues to operate successfully today. He was elected to the Board of Directors at its founding in 1966 and remained an active board member until 2016, when he stepped down and was named Chairman Emeritus. 

Following in the footsteps of his Neely ancestors, who lived in Middleton since the early 1800s, John felt a deep civic responsibility to improve and serve his community. He was a charter member of the Middleton Lions Club and began his public service when elected a Middleton alderman in 1967. In 1968, he was elected to the Hardeman County Court, and he served in both roles for many years.

John was a member of the Middleton Industrial Board, which helped bring Dover Elevators—now TKE—to the town. He served on the medical board, played a role in building Middleton’s first medical center, and was instrumental in recruiting both a doctor and a dentist to the area. As part of the Middleton Volunteer Fire Department, he maintained and drove the town’s fire truck. While serving on the County Court, he helped establish Hardeman County’s first ambulance service.

His service continued as a member of the Hardeman County Election Commission and the City of Middleton Planning Commission. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Bank of Middleton, and later, on the board of Merchants and Planters Bank.

John married Janie “Jane” Simpson at the First Baptist Church in Middleton on February 15, 1953. They celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary in 2025, just before her passing in March.

He is survived by two daughters: Janie Neely Paschall and husband Roger of Cedar Park, Texas, and Jennifer Neely Martin and husband Nick of Brentwood, Tennessee. He is also survived by six grandchildren—Patricia Neely Sullivan, Justin, Patrick, and Katie Paschall, Trey, and Blake Neely—and two great-grandchildren, Lila Sullivan and Parker Hatch. He was preceded in death by his son, John William “Bill” Neely, Jr, his parents, and his sister, Joan Neely Britnell.

A passionate fan of SEC sports, especially Tennessee football and basketball, John and Jane spent many weekends attending UT sporting events with his sister Joan, and her husband, Frank Britnell. Later in life, he was rarely seen without his signature orange University of Tennessee cap. A dedicated NASCAR enthusiast, he attended Daytona Race Week for decades, as well as the spring races in Talladega.

John was a member of the Middleton Methodist Church and later attended Middleton First Baptist Church with his wife, Jane. He will be remembered for his unwavering dedication to his family, community, and business.

Special thanks to the staff and residents of Morning Pointe, Brentwood and the devoted caregivers of Touching Hearts.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Middleton First Baptist Church, the Middleton Community Library or the charity of your choice.