R.C. Neely Jr. long served as president and chairman of the board for Amarillo Hardware Company, where he began working in the summers and on weekends as early as 1924. He completed two years of study at Amarillo College, then obtained his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Texas. Following naval service during World War II, R.C. returned to the hardware store. That was in 1948; he didn’t retire until 1986. Other roles played by R.C. in the Amarillo community include service as a trustee for the Amarillo Independent School District and for Amarillo College (mid-1950s), and he was president of the Amarillo Area Foundation in 1986. Recognized as an Outstanding Eagle Scout, he also was honored by induction into the Amarillo Sandie Hall of Fame.