Donnie Neese

Donnie Neese, beloved husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home in Tucumcari on July 20, 2024. Donnie, a lifelong resident of Tucumcari, was born August 23, 1953 to Delos (“Duck”) and Mary Helen Mundell-Neese. Donnie is survived by his beautiful and loving wife of fifty-one (51) years, Paula; their son, Joe Bair (Joseph Blair), daughter-in law, Leaja, of Amarillo; his first grandchild, Mariah Neese Ashcraft and her husband, Trustin, of Clovis, and cute-as-a-button great-granddaughter Hadley; accomplished grandchildren Riley Blair and Caden Joseph Neese, Brady Ryan Neese and his mother Kyle Livingston Neese, all of Amarillo; his brother Dale Neese and wife, Margaret, of Albuquerque, and nieces and nephews, Frank Martinez and his wife Pat, Yolanda Martinez, Pauline Martinez, Marty Martinez and his wife, Olivia, and Dana Perry and her husband Mark. 

Donnie was preceded in death by his sons Ryan Dale and Beau Bradford, and his parents Delos and Mary Helen Mundell-Neese. 

Donnie played sports in high school for the Rattlers, basketball, football and baseball. When his boys were young, he coached Little League baseball and refereed a fair number of Rattler games, black and white striped shirt, whistle and all. Later he tried his hand at golf but did not much enjoy that Gale Brown, his best friend, most often won. Being somewhat of a gambler, Donnie even owned racehorses for a while. He maintained a life-long love of sports, which love has filtered down through the generations of family. 

Donnie spent thirty-five (35) years in the auto dealership business. For twenty-five (25) of those, he owned his own business, buying and selling most any machine on wheels. 

Donnie was an active member of the Elks Lodge 1172 for over fifty (50) years, delivering Christmas food baskets every year, cooking at the club every Friday evening, distributing supplies to the needy, helping to maintain the lodge swimming pool and grounds and serving as a Trustee for twenty-five (25) years. He generously and most willingly drove an elderly Tucumcari couple, the Bonems, to Amarillo for Dr. appointments and shopping. 

Donnie and Paula, working together, were well known for their lovely and meticulously kept lawn, topped off after a long day’s work in the yard, with a soothing toast of Lord Calvert. 

Donnie will be remembered for his love of family, pride in his handsome boys, Ryan, Beau and Joe Bair and his witty sense of humor. 

A graveside service to honor Donnie Neese will be held on July 27th at 11:00 a.m. at the Tucumcari Memorial Park Cemetery. 

Following the service, the family will host a meal at the Elks Lodge (2118 S. Adams St., Tucumcari) to celebrate Donnie's life and share memories with family and his many, many friends.

Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Chavez Funeral Home, 830 N. Fifth Street, Fort Sumner, New Mexico. (575) 355-2311