Larry “Bird Dog” Clifton McNeely died peacefully at his home in Oklahoma City on Thursday morning, December 1, in the company of his family. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nola Jean McNeely, two grown daughters, Susannah and Paula, their husbands, four grandchildren, and a pair of very spoiled pups. Larry was born in Lubbock, Texas on January 25, 1945, and grew up in Southland, a nearby farming community. He is predeceased by his parents, Mary Lois and Aubrey McNeely and sister Mary Ellen.
in 1965, Larry took a job with Santa Fe Railroad and worked for the railroad for more than 30 years as a self-taught civil engineer and, later in his career, a supervisor of structures.
Larry called several places home including Fort Worth, Amarillo (TX), Valley Center (KS), and, finally, Oklahoma City. Larry had a sly wit, with a flair for tall tales and teasing. When he wasn’t playing golf on the weekends, he was watching it (or his much-loved Dallas Cowboys) on TV. Larry was a family man to his bones, and he’ll be sorely missed by them all.
Family and friends are invited to join a celebration of life which will be held on Friday, December 9, 2 p.m. at Vondel L. Smith & Son Mortuary’s North OKC facility (Memorial Road and N. MacArthur Blvd). To honor Larry’s love of dogs, the family suggests well-wishers make a donation to the Oklahoma Humane Society in lieu of sending flowers.