Dr. Neely Gassaway Tufts passed away on March 20, 2011, at the age of 65. Dr. Tufts and his wife, Bobbie Jean, have lived in Flagstaff for the past 5 years; however, most of his fondest memories were growing up in Sedona with his grandparents, who built one of the first homes there.

Dr. Tufts was born in San Francisco, CA, on August 29, 1945, and grew up in Los Angeles where his mother was an actress and writer, Jayne Drennan Tufts and his father Richard Tufts, owned his own investment company. After doing two tours of duty in Viet Nam as an Airborne Ranger and receiving two Silver Star medals, two Purple Heart medals, among others. He remained a proud veteran and felt this was one of his greatest contributions. After returning from Viet Nam, he began his education attaining his PHD in Psychology from TCU and has a private practice in South Dakota. One of his most enjoyable years was living with and studying wolves in the high Sierra Mountains, from which he published his studies. His love of animals led him to opening a kennel in Sedona called Wolf Briar kennels; and he, also, worked doing studies with cattle at Texas A & M.

Dr. Tufts is survived by his wife, Bobbie Jean, of Flagstaff and a daughter, son-in-law, and two grandchildren in Texas. He will be buried in one of the military cemeteries in Texas. His wife's wishes are that his friends and fellow veterans will remember him with honor – the generous heart he shared with others, his contributions and sacrifices he made during his lifetime, and his true love of animals which were always a part of his life.