Rod & Jennifer Neely

Rodney Glenn Neely and Jennifer Ann Estel were married at Lake Tahoe, July 7, 1984. After working in the food service business, they attended Kings River College in Reedley, graduating in 1990 with Associate of Science degrees in forestry.

Their career has taken them to Kings Canyon National Park, Three Rivers and Dunlap (in the foothills near Sequoia and Kings Canyon Parks); and in 1992 to Oakhurst, 20 miles south of Yosemite.

Two years ago they built a house on five acres north of town, so this looks like a long-term stop.

Jennifer Neely was born in Bakersfield, daughter of Richard Estel and Jacquelynn Callan. She has worked at Kings Canyon National Park greeting visitors and collecting fees at the entrance station; and in the financial office.

After moving to Oakhurst she became a firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

She became a full-time student in 2002, and for the last few years has been teaching at Chowchlla Elementary School.

Rod Neely was born in Fresno, son of William Neely and Patsy Bell.

He has worked in Sequoia National Park and for the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter and in timber management. In 1999 he joined the elite Sierra Hot Shot fire crew, who are the "marines" of firefighting. He also worked briefly with a crew harvesting sugar pine cones for a forest disease control project.

He now operates a tree trimming service, and works part time for ACRT, a company that inspects power lines for tree interference.


A succession of cats have shared the Neely home. We honor the late lamented Whitie, Fridge, Kitten, and Wiggy. Scoop (camera shy), Noodles and Scruff carry on the tradition. That’s Wiggy keeping his cool, Wiggy and Scruff sharing the recliner, and Noodles giving the bright-eyed stare.

As of October 2006 Scoop and Scruff have gone to the big sandbox in the sky. Three gray tiger cats - Noodles, Buster and Stickers made a perfect collection. Then came the unexpected addition of Sausage, a black cat who was adopted to save him from a dangerous location. That's Buster, Stickers and Sausage, left to right.

Sausage went the way of all cats, possibly serving as a coyote's entree in the wilds of the Sierra foothills. New to the family is Giblets, whose favorite pastime is biting the hand that pets him, as well as rolled up socks and anything else within range

Nibbles - newest member of the family, considers this Indian grinding stone a perfect resting spot	Enjoying a "wild" apple in Nelder Grove	Gizmo stands guard

It's always good to have an old chunk of wood handy for claw sharpening	Gizmo, a true snow-loving cat	February snow at the Neely place
Click on the pictures for a larger view Photos by Rod Neely, Jennifer Neely & Dick Estel
Rod & Jennifer on the job (firefighting)