Rick Clary

Rick O’Neal Clary, Jr. passed away July 27, 2020 at the age of 71. He was born November 13, 1948 in Tuscaloosa to the late Rick O’Neal Clary, Sr. and Charlotte Ellis Clary.

Neal grew up in Dothan and then moved to Selma, where he graduated from Albert G. Parrish High School. To know him was to love him. He served with distinction in the Army National Guard, 135th Supply. His life motto was honor and grace, from a young age. During his high school years, he was an outstanding athlete, playing every sport he could. After high school, he attended his beloved University of Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. During his college summers, he would come back home to Selma to help with the family business. After graduating from The University of Alabama, he helped run the family business, Clary Snack Sales, for over 50 years alongside his mother and father. He helped his mother carry on the legacy of the family business after his father passed away in 2004.

He was married to his wife of 36 wonderful years, Sharon L. Clary in 1984. Nine years later, they would welcome their pride and joy – his baby girl, Kristina. He treated them like a queen and princess until his final day. Even though he had a daughter, you best believe he taught her all about sports and Alabama football. They had an inseparable bond, with a love for cars and animals. Especially his Boykin spaniel, Wade. Neal would come home from work, just because he missed Wade and knew he would be anxiously awaiting play time with this dad. Along with his wife and daughter, Neal leaves behind his brother, Ron (Maureen) Clary and his sister, Keven Clary Seal.

Neal fought a good fight; but has finished his race. After a long and courageous battle with COVID-19 and after passing two consecutive negative tests, Neal succumbed to the ravaging damage that the virus he had beat took on his organs.

The family will hold a live streamed service on Friday, July 31, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Rev. Guy Anderson officiating and Lawrence Brown-Service Funeral Home directing. In-person attendance of services will be private. Friends and guests may watch the service live on the funeral home’s Facebook page, at http://watchlawrence.live . He will be laid to rest at New Live Oak Cemetery, alongside his mother and father.

Friends are encouraged to visit www.LawrenceBrownService.com to offer the family condolences and sign the online guest registry.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Wanna-Be Rescued; P.O. Box 725, Selma, Alabama 36702 or Sky Hill Animal Society; 2588 County Road 209, Selma, Alabama 36701.

The family wishes to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at UAB Hospital in Birmingham and its palliative care unit for their loving and attentive care.