Obituary

Clyde caldwell neely, long time resident of charleston, wv passed away peacefully sunday, october 7, 2018 in hubbard hospice house-west, south charleston, wv after a brief illness. He was 90 years old.

He was born and raised in charlotte, nc, along with his sister angelia, and his brother, templeton, the children of clyde n. And angeline neely. He graduated in 1946 from harding high school in charlotte and immediately joined the marine corps along with three harding high school 1946 graduate classmates.

He attended north carolina state university on the gi bill and graduated with honors in 1951 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He was proud of the fact that he had been selected for membership in pi tau sigma and tau beta pi, the two prestigious engineering societies. These organizations were founded to mark in a fitting manner those who have conferred honor upon their alma mater by distinguishing scholarship and exemplary character as students in engineering.

He joined the engineering department of the union carbide chemicals and plastics division in south charleston, wv. Accompanying him was his new bride, betty sue hood neely, who were married june 16, 1951. This marriage culminated a courtship initiated during their attendance to harding high school.

Mr. Neely retired from union carbide on june 22, 2001, celebrating a tenure of 50 years.

During his 50 years with union carbide, mr. Neely won recognition and many union carbide awards, the most prized of which were: the position of union carbide corporate engineering fellow (1976) – the chairman’s award for excellence in pursuit of value to the corporation (1997)..

Union carbide supported mr. Neely’s participation as a member of the asme boiler and pressure vessel code committee, an activity for which there were four meetings a year. The committee’s function was to establish rules of safety relating to pressure integrity, which govern the construction of boilers, pressure vessels, transport tanks, and nuclear components, and the in-service inspection of nuclear components and transport tanks. The committee also interprets these rules when questions arise regarding their intent.

Mr. Neely served on several asme subcommittees (was chair of two of them) and for many years was a member of the “main committee” and also the board of pressure technology codes and standards. Asme memberships spanned a period from september 16, 1971 to february 13, 2014. As a result of this asme bpv committee participation, mr neely was awarded the j. Hall taylor medal for eminent achievement in the field of pressure vessels and piping (1993), four asme certifications of acclamation, one asme certificate of appreciation, and achieved the honor of asme life fellow.

The capstone asme award was presented to mr. Neely on november 5, 2015 at an asme codes and standards bpv committee meeting; and was entitled; pressure vessel legacy service award for excellence in pressure vessel engineering

mr. Neely was quick to give credit to his wife, betty sue, for these awards with respect to his asme bpv code- committee work, because much of the work involved was accomplished after normal working hours with her understanding and acceptance of his passion for these safety- related activities which benefited not only union carbide, but also the industry worldwide.

Mr. Neely and his wife, betty sue, enjoyed many vacation trips and cruises with friends and were active in the bi-monthly meetings in charlotte, north carolina of harding high school graduates, during which time he served a term as the reporter for harding classes 1938-1947.

Mr neely was an active member of the christ church united methodist on quarrier street in charleston, wv. Mr. Neely was a member of berry hills country club and the charlotte city club, charlotte, nc.

Mr neely was predeceased by his parents, his sister, angelia, and his brother, templeton.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 67 years, mrs. Betty sue neely of charleston, wv and charlotte, nc; a niece rebecca phillips of martinsville; va and cousins harry neely of southern pines, nc and george neely of zionsville, indiana.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the kanawha charleston humane society 1248 greenbrier st. Charleston, wv 25311 or a charity of your choice.

Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.M. Monday, october 15 at christ church united methodist, charleston, wv with rev. Jay parkins officiating. Entombment will be held at a later date in forrest lawn cemetery, charlotte, nc.

You may send condolences to the family at: www.Barlowbonsall.Com

barlow bonsall funeral home is in charge of arrangements.