It is with heavy hearts that we inform you, Dr. Dennis Neely passed away Wednesday, February 17th, 2016. Dr. Neely was a friend, helper, and advocate for optometry and patients. He served as president of Prevent Blindness, the West Texas Optometric Society, and the Texas Optometric Association. He worked for many years to secure changes in laws to improve the delivery of eye health care to the citizens of Texas.
Dr. Neely was a native West Texan, raised in Odessa. His undergraduate and graduate studies were done at The University of Texas of the Permian Basin; he received his doctorate in optometry from the University of Houston College of Optometry in 1984 and held advanced credentials in Ocular Therapeutics and Glaucoma treatment by the Texas Board of Optometric Examiners. Dr. Neely also held a certification in Minor Surgical Procedures for the Optometric Physician from Northeastern State University College of Optometry.
Dr. Neely devoted his time to community education and vision awareness. He also donated services to: Prevent Blindness, Vision USA, and the Lions Club. Dr. Neely was very active in the Texas Optometric Association and a past president of that organization. He had worked with the TOA for many years to secure changes in state laws that have improved the delivery of eye health care to the citizens of Texas. When not practicing Optometry, Dr. Neely enjoyed automobile restoration.