Gerald B. (Jerry) Neely, 90, passed away peacefully in his home in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, on Jan. 4, 2023. Jerry was preceded in death by his wife, Vicki Neely; his parents, Albert and Anna; his sisters, Virginia, Bernice, Mary and Pat, and brothers Robert, John and Donald.

Jerry was born in Moscow, Idaho, in 1932. Jerry graduated from Moscow High School in 1950 before attending the University of Idaho, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in 1954 and a master’s degree in 1956. He was a member of the ROTC and served briefly in the Army in the Korean war era. Jerry was a lifetime member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the Corinthian Masonic Lodge in Laurel, Mont.

Jerry’s teaching career began in Rupert, Idaho, before he spent several years teaching in Laurel, Mont. Jerry finally settled in Spokane, Wash., where he was a school psychologist and guidance counselor for close to 30 years.

Jerry met Vicki at a friend’s wedding in Boise in 1959 and they were married in July of 1960. They spent a loving 61 years together with two children, Siobhan Wolf and Bruce.

Jerry loved to meet and talk to people; he spent many years after his retirement volunteering as a track and field official for NCAA events and Olympic Trials. He also volunteered with the Coeur d’Alene Summer Theater, and as a greeter at the Coeur d’Alene Visitor Center. Jerry loved to travel, and during his life visited Ireland, Scotland and much of America.

Jerry and Vicki made the move to Coeur d’Alene in 2005, where he spent the final 18 years of his life.

Jerry is survived by his sister, Shirley Bruggeman, daughter Siobhan Wolf Shaffer, son Bruce and daughter-in-law Toni Neely, granddaughters Sarah Neely, Adia Shaffer and Mikki Shaffer, numerous nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

Interment will be at the Spokane Memorial Gardens on March 13, 2023. In lieu of flowers, Jerry’s family asks that memorial donations be directed to the University of Idaho.