Charles Nealey, 82, formerly of Benton City, died suddenly from a heart attack at his home in Kennewick. Chuck was born in Spokane to Duran and Mabel Snyder Nealey. Reared in Spokane, he loved to spend summers at his uncle's farm near Lacrosse, WA, despite his allergies to dust and hay. He graduated from North Central High School in 1950 and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Ann Boutwell. They had three children before Chuck finished his degree in electrical engineering at WSU. Chuck moved to Southern California to work in the growing aerospace industry. He was a talented engineer who worked in developing guidance systems for the Minuteman missile, crystals needed for the computer industry, commercially sold calculators, and later-- security systems for Hanford. He worked in many developments which have been part of the technology boom of the past 50 years. Tiring of California and government bureaucracy, Chuck and Ann moved back to the Northwest. They briefly had a concrete pumping business, then bought a farm near Kettle Falls, raising sheep, cattle, and hay. To support his "farming habit" Chuck found work in engineering again, moving to the Tri-Cities and a hay farm near Benton City. Mom and Dad were not afraid of hard work. They generally bought things only when they determined they couldn't make them. The items they did make were done well. Fiercely independent and politically conservative, it would only take a few minutes conversation with Dad before he was talking politics. He was heartbroken when his "Annie" gradually left him due to Alzheimer's. He cared for her as well as he could until a facility was needed. Although he never expected to like living in a retirement community, Dad thoroughly enjoyed the staff and residents at Canyon Lakes before he died. Chuck was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Ann. He is survived by his sister, Carol Sue Lee Williams of Colorado and his children Margie Tim Beard of Toppenish, Mike Mary of Kennewick and Dan Jaime of Benton City. He was very proud of his twelve grandkids and twelve great grandchildren. After they visited, he would say, "That was great." Chuck's memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 12, at 1 pm at Columbia Bible Church of Kennewick. His family thinks it would be great for you to join us in remembering him. Dad would be happy for any memorial gifts to go to Alzheimer's research.