Code enforcement officer passed away Aug. 19
James Leslie “Les” Neely is remembered by friends and coworkers as someone who was exceptional at his job and always helped everyone he could.
Neely, 53, of Rabun County died on Aug. 19 at Mountain Lakes Medical Center.
He served Rabun County as a code enforcement officer for 28 years.
“[He] had a knack for getting the job done but doing it in a nice way,” said Commission Chairman Greg James. “[He] always handled himself with dignity.”
James praised Neely as being “professional” and said he did his job “exceptionally well.”
He was a member of the Rabun County Coon Hunters Club and was a member of the Old County Baptist Church.
Tony Galloway, Rabun County marshal, said that the community and his office “lost a coworker and friend.”
He said he knew Neely his entire life.
“[I’ve] worked beside Les for the last 20 years and had the pleasure of being his supervisor for the last almost two years,” Galloway said.
Anthony “Bear” Welch, chief deputy marshal for Rabun County, said Neely had a caring heart and always took care of the department.
“He tried to help everyone he could. If he could make it happen, he made it happen,” Welch said.
Allyn Stockton, county attorney, remembered Neely as a friend and someone who was very knowledgeable about his job.
“Les Neely was a fine friend. I knew him all of my life. It’s going to be a huge challenge to replace him in the planning and zoning department,” Stockton said. “He was so knowledgeable and was so easy to work with. I don’t remember a single complaint about him during the 21 years I’ve represented the county.”
Neely was born in Rabun County, the son of Crawford Neely and Beverly Mitchell Mason.
In addition to his parents, Crawford Neely and Beverly Mason, Les is survived by his wife, Krista Neely of the home, four sons, Kinsey Taylor, Kaden Taylor, Koleman Taylor and Kaleb Taylor (Starr Flowers) all of Clayton, two daughters, Kendall Zachary (Justice Crawford) of Highlands, N.C., and Katelynn Henderson (Mitchell) of Clayton; two sisters, Sonya Neely and Shelia Woodall both of Clayton; a nephew, Matthew Neely and a niece, Marena Woodall; also by five grandchildren, Luke, Skylar, Lucy, Easton and Asher.
The body was cremated and the family received friends on Sunday at the Community Market of Rabun County. A memorial service followed with Pastor Madison McCrackin and Rev. Joe McCrackin officiating.