Barney Neergaard

DUNLAP Barney Keith Neergaard, 82, died at his home Monday, Nov. 5, 2012, after a lingering illness.Mr. Neergaard was born in Harriman, Tenn., on Nov. 17, 1930. He was preceded in death by his parents, John R. and Margaret Keith Neergaard.Barney graduated from Bledsoe County High School in 1948 and received a degree in agriculture from University of Tennessee at Martin in 1950. During college, he was in the National Guard. A highly regarded cattleman, he worked at several outstanding cattle ranches throughout Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi before becoming a self-employed farmer and businessman.In 1986, he returned to Sequatchie Valley where he continued the family tradition of farming/ranching in Bledsoe County. He became a real estate broker and bought Sequatchie Valley Real Estate and Auction Company in Dunlap. He and his wife later founded Sequatchie Valley Stone Center and Mountain Stone Realty.Barney served as chairman of Dunlap Municipal Planning Commission for many years, was a fifty-plus year member of the Masonic Lodge, and a past-president of the Mid-South Quarter Horse Association. An avid horseman dedicated to raising quarter horses for 50 years, he was a lifetime member of the American Quarter Horse Association and a member of numerous other horse and cattle associations.Survivors include his wife of 61 years, June Mosley Neergaard, Dunlap; four sons, Keith (Kathy) Neergaard, Germantown, Tenn., Johnny (Carolyn) Neergaard, Olive Branch, Miss., Richard (Rita) Neergaard, Hernando, Miss., Tommy (Sandy ) Neergaard, Olive Branch, Miss.; six grandchildren, Brooke Fortenberry (Chance) , Kayla Tow (Chad), Laura, J.D., Liza and Katie Neergaard; one great-grandson.The family would like to express appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the staff of Hospice of Chattanooga.Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. CDT Wednesday in Ewton Funeral Home Chapel with Gordon Mosley (uncle of June) officiating.Burial in Sequatchie County Memorial Gardens.Pallbearers; J.D. Neergaard, Chance Fortenberry, Chad Tow, Rickey Hankins, Troy Cunningham, Chris Willis.Visitation; 4 - 8 p.m. today.In Lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to Sequatchie County Cancer Support Network, P.O. Box 98, Dunlap, TN 37327.Arrangements by Ewton Funeral Home, 6936 Highway 28, Dunlap, TN 37327.www.ewtonfuneralhome.com (423-949-2112)