Kristopher Paul McNeely

Kristopher Paul McNeely, 33, of Jonesboro, passed away peacefully Tuesday, June 25, 2019, at the Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House after a two-year fight with glioblastoma. Kris was a 2003 graduate of Gosnell High School. He earned a BA degree from the University of Arkansas-Fayetteville in 2007 and a nursing degree from Arkansas Northeastern College in Blytheville in 2012. Kris began work as an RN at St. Bernards Medical Center Intensive Care Unit in 2012. He was known for being a phenomenal nurse while keeping his co-workers laughing.

Kris enjoyed spending time with his wife and son, running, trivia, and while in college, was a member of the University of Arkansas Quiz Bowl Team.  He was an avid reader of history and the classics and was excited to be able to check out books at the Fayetteville library for an extended period of time because his reading selections were not in demand.  Kris was known by his friends and co-workers for his hilarious stories, jokes, useless knowledge, and he will be missed by those who know him.

Survivors include his wife, Desiree Cunningham McNeely of the home, married Nov. 30, 2013; his son, Felix McNeely of the home; his parents, Jerry and Carolyn Gibson McNeely of Jonesboro; his sister and brother-in-law, Amanda and Brad Vestal of Bentonville; his maternal grandmother, Lela Evelyn Gibson of Jonesboro; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Keith and Jamie Cunningham of Success; his sister-in-law, Alyssa Cunningham of Jonesboro; two nieces, Neely Vestal and Lela Vestal, both of Bentonville; and his three cats, Zorba, Thomas, and Lolly.

A memorial service will be held Saturday in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Rev. Don Blackmore officiating. Visitation will be begin at 1:30 p.m. followed by services at 3 p.m. in Emerson Chapel.

There will be no burial following the memorial service. At Kris's request, his body will be given for further education in the field of medical science.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to: The Felix McNeely Higher Education Fund established at First National Bank of Jonesboro and Paragould and active at any FNB location; The Flo and Phil Jones Hospice House, 300 East St., Jonesboro, AR 72401; or The American Brain Tumor Association, 8550 W. Bryn Mawr Ave, Ste. 550, Chicago, IL 60631, www.abta.org.

Online registry at www.emersonfuneralhome.com.