Middleton Honors Longtime Citizen

John Neely, who recently celebrated his ninetieth birthday, has lived in Middleton since 1929. Serving as his high school class president in 1944, he showed a heart for serving the people early on. He and his brother were Mascots for the first Boy Scout Troop in Hardeman County that was signed into effect by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Mr. Neely volunteered to serve his country in WWII and spent his service in the Philippines. Becoming a Charter Member of the Middleton Lion’s Club in 1948, he went on to open his own business; Neely’s Service Station which operated for 36 years. In 1967, he became an alderman for the City of Middleton and was instrumental in recruiting Dover Elevator Systems to the area in 1968.
Mr. Neely served on the Board of Directors for the Bank of Middleton for over 20 years, followed by time spent on the Board of Directors for Merchants and Planters Bank. Fulfilling his duties on the Middleton Medical Board, he achieved building the first medical clinic and obtaining the first doctor and dentist. As a member of the county commission from 1966-1982, Mr. Neely was recognized as a critical asset in procuring the first ambulance in Hardeman County. He volunteered as a fireman for the city volunteer fire department, served on the election commission from 1983-1995, and the Board of CBI Tire Company from 1965- present. He is a current member of the planning commission and attends every meeting even at ninety years old.