Irwin H. McNeely, MD

Irwin H. McNeely, MD, 89, died June 15, 2017 in Salem, Virginia. He was born January 22, 1928 in Nash County, North Carolina to the late Lester Howard and Mamie Hollar McNeely. He was preceded in death by his brother, Harold McNeely and his sister, Evelyn McNeely.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 65 years, Emogene Powell McNeely of Blacksburg, Virginia; daughter, Pamela Griffith and husband, Dennis of Franklin, Virginia; daughter, Mitzi Cobb of Naples, Florida; son Irwin (Neil) Hollar McNeely Jr. and wife, Carol of Christiansburg, Virginia; sisters, Dorothy (Dot) Elliott of Thomasville, North Carolina and Katherine (Kitty) Baird of Morganton, North Carolina.
He was blessed with four grandchildren, John Blythe of Franklin, Virginia; Kelly Cobb of Naples, Florida; Irwin H. (Trey) McNeely III, and Rachel McNeely of Christiansburg, Virginia; and with four great grandchildren, Jacob, Mia, and Lucas Blythe of Franklin, Virginia; and Devin Oetman of Naples, Florida; and many cherished nieces and nephews.
He spent his youth in Morganton, North Carolina where he attained the rank of Eagle Scout. He was a graduate of Duke University and Duke University School of Medicine and completed his medical training at Bethesda Naval Hospital. He served as a medical officer in the US Navy from 1953 to 1956 and was assigned to the USS Fremont. He found his lifelong home, as a general practitioner in Franklin, Virginia, affiliated with Southampton Memorial Hospital. He was past president of the Tri-County Medical Society, served as delegate for the Virginia Medical Society for 15 years, and was a member of the American Medical Association and Southern Medical Association. After 36 years of private practice, Dr. McNeely became Medical Director for Union Camp Corporation. He continued as the paper mill’s medical director through its acquisition by International Paper, serving in that position for 10 years. He became a member of the college of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. He was a member of High Street United Methodist Church and the Franklin Rotary Club. His favorite pastimes were reading, traveling, family beach trips, and attending Duke University football and basketball games where he was a lifetime member of Iron Dukes Athletics.
A service will be held at Sossoman Funeral Home in Morganton, North Carolina. There will be a gathering of friends from 1pm to 2pm Saturday, June 24, 2017 prior to the 2pm service at the funeral home chapel. The entombment will follow at Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors provided by United States Navy and Caldwell County Veteran’s Honor Guard. The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to all who offered their prayers and support during his time of illness. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the American Cancer Society, 4-A Oak Branch Dr. Greensboro, NC 27407 or High Street United Methodist Church, PO Box 218, Franklin, VA 23851.
Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center is assisting the family with the arrangements.