Obituary
Bobby Joe Neeley, 74, died on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2012. Dr. Neeley was born in Vallejo, Calif. He was a former resident of Oakland and Berkeley, eventually making his home in Mount Shasta, where he resided for 20-plus years.
After serving time in the U.S. Navy, Bobby Joe enjoyed an extensive professional career, which included working for Valley Medical Center and Standard Oil, as well as teaching at several Bay Area colleges. He dedicated most of his life to his academic endeavors, which continued until just days before he left this world. He received both a Master's of Sociology and a Ph.D in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.
He traveled the world in his quest for answers and to validate his hypothesis on the origins and migration of African peoples across the globe.
Bobby Joe Neeley was greatly honored to be a member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.
Bobby Joe Neeley is survived by his daughters, Mechele Neeley-Scholis of Monterey, Calif., and Isis Neeley of Sacramento, Calif.; four grandchildren, Micheal A. Scholis, Ingeleiq Neeley, Louisa Neeley and Amoni Hudson-Neeley; nieces, LaTonya, Lawana and Letieca; many other family members; and several friends.
With his passing, ends the first generation of Katherine and George Neeley's offspring.
A private burial ceremony will be held at Skyview Memorial Lawn, Vallejo. A celebration of life will be held in Mount Shasta in June.
Published in TimesHeraldOnline on Jan. 12, 2012