Image by Elliott Cramer. Part of “People in my Neighborhood”, a personal photography project celebrating the citizens of Beaver, PA. Learn more at peopleinmyneighborhood.com
Here is a man who served our community with everything in him. He volunteered and planned events, met the needs of those around him, and offered friendship without bias.
Here is a man who led others gently, loved everyone fully, and never backed down from his principles.
Here is Reverend Colonel Carl C. Neely.
He was born in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania in the summer of 1934, at a difficult time for American families. The nation was just coming to the middle of the Great Depression, which had begun with the stock market crash of 1929. Despite the circumstances, Carl’s parents – Carl senior and Doris – got by.
Carl was soon joined by two younger brothers: first Richard, then Doug. As the oldest, Carl led the way in leaving the nest. He enlisted in the National Guard once he was 18. In doing so, he was following after his father’s footsteps and honoring a long family history of military service. One of Carl’s ancestors even fought in the Revolutionary War. More specifically, he’d fought in the Battle of Trenton, which was a pivotal victory towards American independence.
Along with enlisting, Carl also chose to study mathematics at Gettysburg College, working with the army through their AROTC program. He became thoroughly involved in student life, spending some time on the wrestling team (the “Bullets”), along with several clubs. These included the Booster Club, which promoted student activities, the Gavel Club, which maintained friendly relationships between fraternities, and the Outing Club, which hosted weekend trips off campus.
Carl took part in the AROTC Drill and Rifle Teams during his freshman and sophomore years as well. These activities gave him a glimpse of his future military career. He got the full view when he graduated from college in 1957 and became a commissioned Second Lieutenant in the US Army.
Later, in the fall of 1957, Carl married the love of his life: Patricia Ann Buckley. From the wedding day on, over the course of close to 63 years, the couple would share their lives together and have three children: Carl III, Deborah, and David. Carl worked hard at his job in the military to provide for his family; a job that occasionally called him overseas.
Carl’s first deployment was to Vietnam, where the United States had already been fighting alongside South Vietnam against its northern brother for two years. US involvement in the conflict would end in 1975, but not before Carl was awarded the Silver Star for acts of gallantry. This is the third highest award available for US soldiers in combat, and rarely is it bestowed.
During his thirty-year tenure in the US Army, Carl would also receive the Legion of Merit for exceptional conduct, two Bronze Stars for heroic service, and four Air Medals for his outstanding aerial performance. In addition, he was given the Vietnamese Cross of Valor, the Joint Services Commendation Medal, and two Army Commendation Medals.
10 years after his Vietnam deployment, Carl was sent to West Germany as the commanding lieutenant colonel of a US battalion. This was during a time when Germany was split in half, still divided by the Berlin Wall. This sort of political division led the United States to establish battalions (like Carl’s) in friendly territories. They were safeguards against war, and Carl played a role in keeping them secure.
Later, Carl would play a role (several, actually) much closer to home. He served, in turn, at the North American Trade Organization (NATO), the Defense Intelligence Agency, and as part of the Pentagon’s Joint Chiefs of Staff. In addition, Carl spearheaded development of the Patriot Missile System, which – in the early 1980s – was the United States’ best defense against enemy air attacks.
“Patriot is superior to [other missile systems] in almost every feature,” Carl told Soldiers magazine in 1981. At the time, he was Chief of the Washington, DC, Patriot Field Office. Some years later, Carl would manage the Anti-Tactical Missile System team, which modified the Patriot to stop enemy Scud missiles in the Middle East.
Carl retired from the military in the late 1980s as an army colonel and received countless job offers from Aerospace companies. However, Carl kindly refused them all, deciding instead to follow his calling into the Episcopal priesthood.
Carl set off to the Trinity School for Ministry in Ambridge, PA, from which he graduated with a Master of Divinity. He also studied at the Appalachian State University and emerged with a Master of Arts in counseling. After getting ordained in 1990, Carl preached in a number of churches before coming to one in Beaver.
Our local Trinity Episcopal Church (later renamed Trinity Anglican Church) needed a new rector. When Carl applied in 1993, the hiring committee just knew he was the right man for the job. There were a several other worthy candidates, but Carl’s application stood out from the rest. Carl was hired with great anticipation, and it’s safe to say that he lived up to it.
Each Sunday service, Carl brought a warmth with him to the pulpit that flooded the entire church. He carried that feeling into the workweek, as well, engaging in all the activities or events that he could make. More than that, though, Carl was deeply invested in the people inside, and outside, of his church.
He was always available, ready to comfort, help, or give his advice, and he always knew just what you needed to hear. But, he never forced his company on anyone. The truth is, Carl didn’t have to, because he had a way of drawing people to him – believers and unbelievers; the old and the young.
Very quickly, Carl became a staple member of the Beaver community. Even outside of church activities, he was very active in local happenings. Carl marched in every Memorial Day parade (spoke at a few of them too), dedicated historic sites, served as president of the Beaver Area Heritage Foundation for several years, and helped with various events.
People couldn’t help but take notice of Carl’s prolific participation, and the community gave him an official thank you – more than once. In 2013, Carl received the Outstanding Beaver County Citizen award and the Good Citizenship Award. In 2017, he received the Outstanding Citizen award yet again and had a white oak tree planted in his honor.
Carl had multiple opportunities to present awards too, such as the Lifetime Achievement award to longtime Beaver resident Robert Smith.
In terms of his career, Carl would eventually step down from his leadership role at Trinity. But even though he ‘retired’ in 2007, Carl never strayed far from the pulpit, or Beaver. Instead, he acted as interim priest to various churches in the area, the latest of these being St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Georgetown, PA. He was with St. Luke until his passing on May 6 of this year.
His departure was devasting to everyone who knew him. It left many to wonder how our community would go on without his steady presence.
But, in a way, we will not be without him. As a community, we will carry Carl with us in our memories. And in a way – though sadly not the same as before – we can say, “Here is Reverend Colonel Carl C. Neely.
“He is here in our hearts.”
The Neely Family would like to share that a memorial service for Carl will be held on September 26, 2020. An announcement of the service’s time and location will be provided by Noll Funeral Home.
