John, born in Greenville, South Carolina on April 3, 1939 to Jess and Virginia Nealy, died on Tuesday, February 18, 2020. He graduated from Walhalla High School and attended The Citadel. After earning his Bachelor of Science degree in physics, he served in the Air Force at Langley AFB before joining NASA in 1963. He worked there until 1995 when he retired to Walhalla, South Carolina. After five years, he came out of retirement as a consultant with SAIC until 2012 when he retired again.

He is survived by Florene, his wife of 60 years; and his children, J. Robert Nealy of Yorktown and Kaye Nealy Pickett of Newport News; and his grandchildren, Danyen Nealy-Pickett of Evansville, Indiana, Ethan Pickett of Newport News, and Jenna Johnson of Yorktown.

He is dearly loved and will be missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at 12:30 PM, Friday, February 21, 2020 at Temple Baptist Church with Pastor Wes Taylor officiating. A reception will follow in the church fellowship hall.

Arrangements by W. J. Smith & Son Funeral Home.