James "Jim" McNeely

of Murdo, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, November 1, 2022
at Avera St. Mary's Hospital in Pierre at the age of 72

James “Jim” S. McNeely, III, 72, of Murdo, SD passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2022. He was the beloved husband of Michele. Throughout his life there were three things that truly defined Jim, his family, health care, and his dogs.

Jim was born on, June 16, 1950, in Anadarko, OK; the son of James and Mary Lou (Staib) McNeely. After graduating from Todd County High School, he attended the University of South Dakota, graduating in 1973 with degrees in Biology and Chemistry. He later completed his nursing degree from USD. With the encouragement of several doctors at the hospital in Lemmon, SD, Jim pursued advanced studies at Indiana University – Northwest completing the Family Nurse Practitioner program. Beginning in 1989, he was blessed with the opportunity to become the health care provider at the Jones County Clinic, where he remained until his retirement at the end of 2021. He absolutely loved serving his patients and felt that he never worked a single day. His patients were his calling, and he was extremely thankful because of it. Every encounter was an opportunity to educate others regarding health and health care. As an extension of his work, he was proud to serve the community on the ambulance board as well as the housing board. He was also an active member of the Murdo United Methodist parish.

Jim devoted his time to his family when he was not at the clinic. Over the years Jim could be found at the Murdo Auditorium or football field and track watching his sons participate in various sports. The majority of his travel was to spend time with family, including an Alaskan cruise with his brothers and their wives. Outside of family, much of Jim’s time was spent working and running his dogs. Over the years, hundreds of Siberian Huskies were part of the kennel. He loved their natural ability to work as a team and a strong desire to run and play, and he loved being able run them in the winter.

Jim is survived by his wife of 43 years, Michele, and sons James and his wife Anne their son James “Jack” of Avon, CT, and Jeff and his son Jameson of Sioux Falls, SD; two brothers and their families, David (Patty) of Cyprus, TX, and Mick (Cheryl) of Mesa, AZ. He had numerous nephews and one niece.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Ann(McNeely) Szabo.

The family is forever grateful to the staff at the Leona Helmsley Cancer Center and St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre.

Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, November 7, at the United Methodist Church in Murdo until the service time.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. CST on Monday, November 7, at the United Methodist Church in Murdo, with Pastor Cheryl Nymann and Pastor Mark Phillips officiating.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to the Jones County Ambulance Service.

Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 493, Murdo, SD 57559.

Service Details

VISITATION
Monday, November 7, 2022 - 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. (CST)
United Methodist Church
Murdo, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Monday, November 7, 2022 - 2:00 p.m. (CST)
United Methodist Church
Murdo, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Mark Phillips
Pastor Cheryl Nymann

MUSIC
Marilyn Seymour - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“How Great Thou Art”
“Nearer My God To Thee”
“Amazing Grace”

READING OF POEM
James McNeely

USHERS
Shorty Fedderson - Butch Feddersen - Doug Snider

PALLBEARERS
James McNeely - Jeff McNeely - David McNeely
Mick McNeely - Paul Szabo - Brian Szabo

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Guest Book

So sorry for your loss. We got one of the last Huskies Jim bred. We only knew Jim a short time but we knew he was someone special right away. We will treasure our dog Gaius even more. God Bless your family.
   ~ Christopher M Laughlin Rapid City (12/2/2022)
We are praying for the McNeely family. I'll always remember the good times going out to the state parks to go dog sledding. Great times! Praying for peace knowing that Jim is now in a better place.
   ~ Trevor Strobel Plano, TX (11/11/2022)
SD
   ~ Christopher M Laughlin Rapid City (12/2/2022)
SD
   ~ Pennie Ogden Sioux Falls (11/4/2022)
I am sooo saddened to hear about Jim's passing. We are blessed to have adopted one of his last bred husky pups and blessed to have met Jim. Thank you for being sooo kind Jim and giving us a wonderful new member of my family! You will be dearly missed. My prayers go out to Jim's family
   ~ Irene Rapid City (12/2/2022)
My brother and I will be lost without Jim. He will be missed by so many. Prayers and love to you and your family
   ~ Starla Brown Kadoka sd (11/4/2022)

Flowers

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Everyone at Able Inc.
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Class of 2004
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White River Pharmacy
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Robin, Brooke, and Landon Leighton
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The Family of the Late Steve Kerns
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Jones County Ambulance Service
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Murdo Housing