Obituary of Horace "Ace" Hollis Neely

Lancaster - Horace “Ace” Hollis Neely, 90, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, December 6, 2022.    Son of Hollis and Alice Phylia Seaborne Neely, Ace was born on August 12, 1932, in Sabinal, Texas.  His family moved to California at a young age and after graduating high school, he continued his education, earning a degree in Nuclear Physics from University of California, Los Angeles. He enjoyed a long career as a nuclear physicist and was well-known and recognized for his hard word, including being published in Who’s Who in Frontier of Science and Technology 2 nd  Edition; Who's Who in the West 1982-1983; Who’s Who of Contemporary Achievement for Outstanding Contributions to Society 1984 and Who’s Who in the World 1989-1990.  He was also Elk Officer of the Year 2001-2002 as recognition for his work as a Trustee for the Lancaster Elks Lodge 1625.   Ace worked hard and played harder. He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting and fishing, traveling and was always on the move. He found peace being able to work with his hands and even painted his tools green, calling them his “money makers”.  Most of all he loved life every single day and he made it well known that he felt the most important way to spend his life was with his family and friends.  He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great- grandfather and friend, and he is greatly missed by his loving family, friends and all that knew him and enjoyed his passion for life and learning.    Ace is survived by his loving wife, Duana Neely; daughter Karen (Barry) Nightingale; son Victor (Paula) Neely; son Richard Neely; a brother Jerry Neely; stepchildren Joseph Marsik; Stacie (Jason) Pacheco; Jeralynn Brooks; ex-wife Norma Neely; 19 grandchildren and 18 great- grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents and a sister.    A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00am at the Highlands Church, 39625 20th Street West, Palmdale, Ca.