Joe Kent Neff, 84, of Big Spring, died Monday, January 15, 2018 at Medical Center Hospital, in Odessa, Texas surrounded by his family. Graveside funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Trinity Memorial Park with Tom Koger, officiating.The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday, January 19, 2018 at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home.He was born April 25, 1933 to Mr. W.L. (Pat) Neff and Pearl Hansen Neff of Colorado City, Texas. He graduated Colorado City High School with the class of 1951 and from there served in the U.S. Army for 4 years. After completing his time of duty in the army, he attended Howard County Junior College and from there attended Texas A&M University and was a champion calf roper and steer wrestler on the rodeo team. Following his undergraduate degree, he entered Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and was among the graduating class of 1963. After graduating veterinary school, he worked as a doctor of veterinary medicine at Highland Animal Clinic in Big Spring, Texas for one year before venturing out on his own to pursue his career in large animal medicine and surgery. He enjoyed working on ranches all over west Texas, the Panhandle, and eastern New Mexico. He also worked in the cattle auction barns in Howard and Midland county for many years. As a man of Baptist faith, Dr. Neff often said “farmers and ranchers were some of the finest people God put on this earth.” He viewed each day of his life as a new adventure, going on as many calls as he could, seeing God’s country stocked with fine livestock.He married Sue Garrett of Coahoma, Texas on September 24, 1961. They had two sons Bryan Garrett Neff and Joe David Neff who both loved nothing more than tagging along on the many daily adventures with their dad. They built a beautiful home together and permanently resided in Big Spring, Texas where he had the ability to work with his race horses and be a part of the horse racing industry which he loved. He was not only a veterinarian, but he was a rancher in Glasscock and Howard counties where he ran commercial cattle and fine wool sheep for many years. Through thick and thin, Joe was always a family man. He enjoyed quail hunting, fishing for channel cat, and taking his grandchildren for rides around the ranch.Joe is survived by his wife Sue Neff of Big Spring, his son Dr. Bryan Neff and his wife, Laurie, of Bandera, Tx and their three sons Cale Neff and his wife Samantha of College Station, Tx, and Ty Neff and Zane Neff of Bandera, Tx; granddaughters Kalea and Savannah Neff both of Fort Worth, Tx and Angelina Neff of Odessa, Tx; grandson Matthew Neff of Odessa, Tx; one brother Tom S. Neff of Colorado City, Tx; and several nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his son Joe David Neff of Big Spring, Tx; parents Mr. and Mrs. W.L. Neff of Colorado City, Tx; sisters Crystal “Sis” Hillgers, Katherine Neff, and “Shug” Copeland; brothers Rush Neff, Keith Neff, Jack Neff, and W.L. Jr who was one of the most highly decorated soldiers in World War II.Joe always told good stories, mostly about his mishaps, wrecks and disasters. His philosophy on life was to “do the best you can each day and try to make it fun” and “If you aren’t proud of what you do, you won’t amount to much!”Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences may be made at: www.npwelch.com,
