Clay Jordan McNeely, 39, of Hereford, Texas passed away on Saturday, August 31, 2024, in Amarillo, Texas. A Family and Friend Visitation will be on Thursday, September 5, 2024, from 5:00 -7:00 P.M. at Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home in Hereford. Arrangements and Private Family Burial have been entrusted to Mendez and Mullins Family Funeral Home of Hereford.

Clay was born on September 17, 1984, in Hereford, Texas, to Justin and Deloris (Wyly) McNeely. Clay was a 2003 Hereford High School Graduate, proud member and drum major for the Mighty Maroon Band, and a lifelong member of the Church of Christ. He was also a member of the jazz band called "The Fuzzy Onions," which he and his high school buddies started. They shared their music with the Hereford Senior Citizens. Clay married his childhood sweetheart Holly Sharee' Finch on July 30, 2005, in Nashville, Tennessee. Shortly after, they moved to his hometown of Hereford. Clay loved the Hereford community, was a proud Hereford supporter, and loved his time serving as president and member of the HISD school board. He enjoyed his job as a tax accountant at Lemert-Holder-Ohm PLLC and appreciated his time with Luke, Justin, and his other work friends.

Clay was passionate about music and was a talented piano and euphonium player, as well as a strong bass in church. He loved to share his passion for music with his family with new musical experiences and going to concerts and Broadway shows. He loved to travel with his wife, Holly, and his favorite trip was when the two went to New York City together. He was proud of Anika and Ari for following in his footsteps with a love and talent for music, instruments, and band. Clay was an avid SAAB enthusiast. He also had a quick wit. Although he may have been quiet, everyone wanted to listen when he had something to say. Clay was a planner and researcher and did everything with great thought and detail. He loved his family, especially his granny Glaytus Wyly.

Those left to cherish his memories are his wife, Holly McNeely, and children, Anika and Ari McNeely, of Hereford, Texas; parents, Justin and Deloris McNeely of Hereford, Texas; brother Morgan McNeely and wife Marci of Stratford, Texas; father and mother-in-law, Everett and Sherlynn Finch of Kingston Springs, Tennessee; brother-in-law Clint Finch and wife Carlie of Kingston Springs, Tennessee; and lifelong mentor and friend Carolyn Waters of Hereford, Texas.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Elton and Glaytus Wyly of Friona, Texas and James and Verna McNeely of Friona, Texas.

In lieu of Flowers memorials may be made in honor of Clay, to the Hereford Happy State Bank McNeely Musical Memorial fund for Anika and Ari, furthering their musical careers. Checks need to be made out to Holly McNeely; McNeely Musical Memorial may be placed on the memo.