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David Neely Obituary
DAVID ALLEN NEELY
December 11, 1945 ˜ August 29, 2022
Sailor, pirate, buccaneer, raconteur, smuggler, adventurer, free diver, mountain man. He sailed extensively in the Caribbean, Mexico and the San Juan Islands. He dismasted a 50 foot racing trimaran in a gale and brought her in safely. He lived in Truckee, Half Moon Bay and Orcas Island. For the last 40 years he lived in the woods ten miles east of Woodland, WA. in a small cabin on a remote 20 acre summit. He built his home by hand, got his water from a creek and heat from a wood stove. He was a gifted mechanic, was adept at all phases of building, especially carpentry, and built and operated his own blacksmith shop. He read widely, was a Luddite, a Wobbly and an AOC supporter. He grew herbs. He was fiercely independent and never worked on Maggie’s farm. He liked risk and was fearless. He was calm and cool under pressure and had sang froid. He travelled independently to the Caribbean, South America, Antartica, Canada, Mexico, Australia, Thailand, Cambodia and Burma. His friends knew that he would stand by them forever. Women loved him. He had a sweet side and was a good listener. He had a cutting sense of humor. He went his own unique way.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Neely
jim roberts
September 12, 2023
I remember asking him a couple of years ago what he'd been reading. He and I both read nearly all the time. He told me that he'd been reading the same book over and over! Made me laugh. I was treated to an afternoon in his sailboat on the Columbia river with him and his brother, Mike, probably my best friend. It was a magical time I'll not forget.
Val Alexander
September 24, 2022
He was a very gifted person, and was an excellent builder, and friend. He has a huge fan club.
Sam Dreier
September 23, 2022
Dave was my friend. His eyes, his smile and the sound of his laugh hadn't changed much since high school. Dave seized life and explored every part of it. He never wavered in his commitment to friends. In our class Dave was, indeed, the last of the original 1849ers. I'll miss him greatly.
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Dominic
September 20, 2022
Remembering Dave's old 50 Chevy fastback and how he blasted around in it, hilarious, He was a very smart person.
Mimi Crouse
September 19, 2022
Dave leaves behind three grandchildren, Mariah (Chris), Zachary (Hunter) and Mckenna and four great-grandchildren, Beau, Lucia, Milo and Olympia.
Jim Roberts
September 19, 2022
I was remiss in not adding my wife, Sally's, name to my tribute. She knew and liked him, too.
jim roberts
September 18, 2022
My favorite outlaw. The guy was just plain cool and always remembered to pay a debt, even after forty years. I had forgotten he even owed me but he didn't. A class act if there ever was one.
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Vancouver, WA
The Columbian
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