Charles Edward Neelley was born on May 7th, 1929 in Wellborn, Texas to Robert and Eulalior Hattie Hempfling. Charles passed away peacefully in his sleep in Bryan, Texas on February 1st, 2026 at the age of 96. Charles entered Texas A&M as a member of the Corps of Cadets Class of 1950. Upon graduation with a degree of Mechanical Engineering he was employed by Chance-Vought Aircraft until he was called to active duty with the US Air Force in June 1951. After two years on active duty, he remained in the Air Force reserves for a total of 35 years and retired as a colonel. Following active duty, he returned to College Station after a short employment with Owen-Pewthers MFG Co. He joined the Texas Engineering Experiment Station where he became head of the Engineering Test Lab and retired after 25 years. After retirement from TAMU he owned and operated Aggieland Travel and Villa Maria Storage until retiring again.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Eulalior Neelley, his brother Robert Guy Neelley, Jr, and his wife, Sharon Dehnisch Neelley, who was the love of his life. Charles is survived by His son Charles Edward Neelley, Jr. and his daughter Donna Lynn Munson from a previous marriage and three step-children, James Garland Watson III, Charles Franklin Watson, and Christopher Dehnisch Watson. He is also survived by eight grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Charles was an active member of the First Methodist Church of Bryan where he served as Church School Superintendent and Greeter for 50 years. He bled maroon and was a member of the TAMU Century Club for 40 plus years.

Services to honor Charles’ life will be held at Callaway-Jones Funeral Home in Bryan, on Saturday, February 7th, 2026 with visitation beginning at 1pm followed by a memorial service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Corps of Cadets online corpsofcadets.org/inmemory, or First Methodist Church Bryan afmcbryan.org 506 E 28th St, Bryan, TX 77803