John Hayes Nealey was born June 13, 1938 in San Diego, California to James Walter Nealey, Sr. and Grace Elizabeth Hayes Nealey.

He passed away April 4, 2014 in Davenport, Oklahoma with his wife at his side.

John was a decorated Vietnam Veteran having received the Distinguished Flying Cross after 201 air missions in 11 months as a flight engineer. He earned many other decorations in his 22 ½ years of service in the United States Air Force and tour in Vietnam.

Upon retirement, John moved to San Angelo, Texas where he worked as a welder for the next ten years.

He then married Mary Levy of Davenport in 1990 and went to work at Sunoco as a driver and later a field supervisor.

He enjoyed both wood working and metal art.

John was preceded in death by his parents, James and Grace; four brothers, Vernon Nealey, Donald Nealey, David Nealey and Thomas Nealey; infant son, John Hayes Nealey, Jr., and grandson, Christopher Louchart.

Survivors include his wife of 23 years, Mary {Levy} Nealey of the home; daughters, Katherine Jones of San Diego; Suzanne Nealey of San Diego; Barbara Nealey of Idaho; Deborah Louchart of Cocoa, Florida; sons, Michael Nealey and his wife Lisa of Depew; James Levy and his wife Nita of El Reno; Jonathan Levy and his wife Sherry of Adams, Tennessee; Jeffrey Levy and his wife Rebekah of New Caney, Texas; sister, Peggy Slove of California; brothers, James Nealey of Depew; Warren Nealey of Choctaw; three very special friends, Stephen Dubroc, Mark Grayson and Brooke Walker; twenty one grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

John's family will hold a private service followed by burial in the Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Donations in his memory can be made to the Wounded Warrior Charity and Physicians Choice Hospice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Lehman Funeral Home of Wellston.