Tracy James McNeely

Tracy James McNeely, of Durham, NC died Saturday, June 19, 2010. He was born in Catawba County on April 22, 1960 and was the son of J. B. and Gay Avis Rector McNeely of Valdese. Tracy graduated from NC State School of Engineering in 1983 with an EE degree and was formerly employed as a software engineer at Northern Telecom and Tekelec in the Research Triangle Park in Durham. He loved to travel and see the world and had worked for 1 year in Japan and for 2 years in England. Tracy holds a U. S. Patent for Methods and Systems for Testing Communication Network Components. As an avid outdoorsman, Tracy enjoyed the beach, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, water and snow skiing, and going on family vacations just like the "Griswolds."In addition to his parents, Tracy is survived by his sister, Jamie McNeely, of Morganton; an aunt, Nancy Clark and her son, Shane Clark, of Morganton; and a number of other aunts, uncles, and cousins.The funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, June 23, 2010, at Drexel First Baptist Church with Rev. Tito Madrazo officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the church fellowship hall. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday at Drexel Memorial Park. Pallbearers will be Malone McNeely, Bradley Hicks, Michael Hicks, Mike Hicks, Hal Hallman, and Monty Harris; and honorary pallbearers will be Ray Benfield, Billy Hubbs, Reid Scott, Fons Giles, Odell White, Greg Shull, and Eric Byrd. Memorial contributions may be made to Drexel First Baptist Church Food Ministry or Drive Thru Building Fund, PO Box 308, Drexel, NC 29619. Sossoman Funeral Home is assisting the family.