Larry Eugene McNeely

Larry Eugene McNeely passed away in Bradenton, Florida on January 21st 2026. He was born in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on November 6th 1942. Larry served our country in the US Navy, and served on the USS Hornet. When he returned home, he had a successful career as a real estate broker in the St. Louis area. He later retired to Florida, where he’d enjoy outdoor activities like fishing. Larry was a dedicated family man who loved his wife and family. He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. His son, Michael McNeely wrote the following tribute to honor his father: “My dad, Larry McNeely, lived a life that was full, bold, and unmistakably his own. He was a Navy Veteran who served proudly as a radioman on the USS Hornet, and he carried that same sense of duty, grit, and loyalty throughout every chapter of his life. He loved deeply, worked hard, and made sure the people he cared about always knew they mattered. Eight years ago, my family and I moved to Florida to be close to my Dad. Some of my best memories are the days he and I spent fishing together. Those quiet evenings on the water were where he did some of his best storytelling — he had a way of sharing pieces of himself in the simplest moments. Watching him fish with my daughter, Jesika, brought me a different kind of joy. He absolutely lit up around her, and she adored him right back. My son Nik, also had a great relationship with him. They worked on his computer quite often. Dad loved his wife, Ruth, with a devotion you don’t see every day. He doted on her, protected her, and made sure she was always cared for. That was just who he was — steady, dependable, and generous to the people he loved. He truly lived life to the fullest. Whether it was family, fishing, friends, the stories he liked to tell, or the things he worked hard for, Dad didn’t do anything halfway. He left nothing on the table, and he leaves behind a legacy of strength, kindness, and a quiet honesty that will stay with us forever. I miss him more than I can put into words, and I am proud — deeply proud — to be his son.” Larry is preceded in death by his parents Henry McNeely, and Grace McNeely; stepsons Jason L. Parris and Joel D. Parris; sister Joyce McNeely Smith . Left to cherish Larry’s bright memory are his devoted wife of 34 years, Ruth McNeely; children Marsha McNeely, Michael McNeely and his wife Sherri, Tammy Evans and her husband Tony; sister Joan Quinn and her husband Larry; grandchildren Amanda Eggleston and her husband Chris, Kayla Kirn and her husband Kevin, Jeskia McNeely, Madison G’sell, Nikolas McNeely, Connor G’Sell, Jordan Fornecker and her husband Mitch, Autumn Smith and her husband Coty, Michael Stackle, Kyle Evans, Aubrey Parris; great grandchildren Jaxon, Kali, Kyler, Kolby, Jali, Haven, Luke, Elliot, Lily, Lucy, Kingston and Ali. We will love and miss you forever, Papa, A.K.A. Padre. A service in Larry’s honor will be held at the Sarasota National Cemetery on a date to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to your favorite veteran charity, as Larry would donate to any. Memories and condolences may be left for his family at www.MFHcares.com.

Larry Eugene McNeely

November 6, 1942 - January 21, 2026