Jack Hardin Neely, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, died suddenly on October 30, 2025, at the age of 67.

Despite being a man who avoided the spotlight, Jack was an active member of the Tulsa community, and a dedicated civil servant, advisor, and confidant.  His quiet brilliance, discipline, and dry sense of humor will be deeply missed by all who knew him.  

Above all, Jack will be remembered for his unwavering devotion to family.  From extravagant Easter egg hunts to taking his family around the globe in 480 days, family was at the center of his heart.  Jack shared his love of fly fishing with his family, meticulously tracked their flights, and flipped countless Santa pancakes, providing traditions that will be passed down to the grandchildren he adored.

Jack was born April 22, 1958 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.  He graduated from Casady School in 1976 and Duke University in 1980. 

Over 30 years ago, he founded Ballard Management, where he handled investments, overused his scanner, and took great joy in his shredder. In addition to his business pursuits, Jack devoted over 20 years of service to the City of Tulsa.  He served on the City of Tulsa’s Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA) for 18 years.  Most recently, Jack was Chief of Capital Investment under Former Mayor G.T. Bynum, helping to advance major capital improvement projects including the Zink Dam, the Tulsa Public Safety Center, and the new Gilcrease Museum.

Jack was heavily involved in the Tulsa community for years and served on various boards, such as Leadership Tulsa, Philbrook Museum of Art, Tulsa Metropolitan Planning Commission, the Parent-Child Center of Tulsa, Tulsa Higher Education Consortium, Contemporary 108, Arvest Bank, and as a Trustee for the University of Tulsa.  Jack was also engaged with his alma mater, Duke University and served on the Nasher Museum Board of Advisors and Trinity Board of Advisors. While his intellect and honesty could be daunting to some, those who knew him best found a generous listener, a trusted problem-solver, and someone who enjoyed the occasional bit of gossip.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Margaret Meade Neely; his four children and their spouses, Laura Neely Conway and Michael Conway, Caroline Elizabeth Neely, Elizabeth Gaylord Neely and Chip Blue, and Andrew Hardin Neely and Adrienne Jackson; and six grandchildren — Eleanor Margaret Blue, Charles Toomey Blue III, Patrick Hayes Conway, Jackson Hardin Neely, Lucille Virginia Blue, and William Neely Conway. He is also survived by his brothers and their partners, Paul Neely and Susan Street, Gaylord Neely, Phil Neely and Alice Galloway, Scott Neely and Lissa Mitchell, and Kirk Neely and Holly Myers, along with many beloved in-laws, cousins, nieces, and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Virginia Gaylord Neely and Ralph Phillip Neely.   

A memorial service in honor of Jack, who would have quietly protested the attention, will be held at the Philbrook Museum of Art on Sunday, November 30, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Philbrook Museum of Art.

Ninde Funeral & Cremation | (918) 742-5556 | ninde.com