Obituary of Perry Neese

WEST COLUMBIA: Funeral services with Full Military Honors to celebrate the life of Sergeant First Class Perry W. Neese, II, "Wen", will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, May 18, 2012, in the Chapel of Thompsons Funeral Home of Lexington, officiated by Chaplain Steve Shugart. A private burial at Fort Jackson National Cemetery will follow. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home. SFC Neese of West Columbia, died surrounded by his family on Tuesday, May 15, 2012. Born September 3, 1969, in Columbia, SC, he was the son of Perry W. Neese Sr., and Georgell Rast Neese. SFC Neese graduated from Brookland Cayce High School and later, Limestone College Magna cum Laude, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree. SFC Neese served his state and country for more than 22 years in the South Carolina Army National Guard. His military awards and citations include: Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Non Commission Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3rd Award), Army Service Ribbon, Army Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/m Device. SFC Neese is survived by his father and mother, Perry W. and Georgell R. Neese of West Columbia; daughter, Chambree Nicole Neese of Lexington; sister and brother-in-law, Kaye Neese Gerrald and Greg Gerrald of Chapin; nephews, Brandon Gerrald of Coral Gables, Florida and Matthew Gerrald and his wife, Susannah of Columbia; uncle and aunt James and Judy Rucker of Cayce, uncle and aunt Henry and Nell Hunt of Cayce, Aunt Joan Brenda Neese of West Columbia; three great nephews and many cousins. SFC Neese was preceded in death by his grandparents, George Earl Rast and Mirdis Kyzer Rast, and Azilee Neese Antley and Leland Antley. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to NGASC Scholarship Foundation, 132 Pickens St., Columbia, SC 29205 or The Agape Senior Foundation, 1053 Center Street, West Columbia, SC 29169. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr. Vijaya Korrapati, Myra Hawkins and the entire staff of Lexington Oncology Associates; the staff of Heartstrings Hospice and the staff of Agape Hospice House for their care and compassion over the last four years.