Linnie Theo Scally

Linnie Theo Scally, 77, of Ash Grove, Missouri, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2025, at Mercy Hospital in Springfield, Missouri. He had been battling pneumonia and was also suffering from a heart condition.

Linnie was born on August 18, 1947 to Vera J. Becker and James Theo Scally in Stoddard County, Missouri. He grew up in rural southeast Missouri and graduated from Sikeston High School in 1965.

Linnie enlisted in the United States Navy in July of 1965 where he was trained in both electronics and mechanics. During his service in Vietnam, Petty Officer Scally was assigned to the line division as a flight line troubleshooter of A7A/B aircraft. His primary duty was debriefing pilots and repairing electronic systems gripes. He liked to say he was called a “tweetybird.” Linnie would recall his relief that the pilots in the planes he repaired all returned safely. 

He was transferred from active duty to the naval reserves in October of 1968 and honorably discharged from the Navy in July of 1971. Linnie was thankful for the training he received in the Navy and wore his uniform proudly. He was still very patriotic and grateful for the opportunity he had to serve his country.

Linnie moved on to a career with SEMO Communications, installing cable just as that industry really started to take off. 

He welcomed his son, James, with his first wife, Connie, on July 21, 1973. They traveled around to follow the work as he continued in the cable business. 

In the 1980s Linnie settled down in Ash Grove, Missouri. There he owned and operated an auto garage, Semo-Wells, on Maple Lane. He married Lois Burney DeClue on September 6, 1994. He then moved his auto garage out to the country and enjoyed farm life while he continued as a mechanic.

Linnie is preceded in death by his wife, Lois; his parents; two half-brothers, Barry Wayne Becker and Stephen Tracy Lamb; stepson David DeClue; stepdaughter Lemyra DeClue; great-niece Camille Isabelle Crews; and great-nephew Kevin Lee Keller.  

He is survived by his son, James and daughter-in-law, Heather; grandchildren: Wyatt, Noah and Chloe of Las Vegas, Nevada. Also, his siblings Verneila Anne Coffman, Susan Dawn Ellison, Delawna Joy Burgess and Galen Woodrow Lamb; stepdaughter Kathy Wilson and her husband, Joe; grandson Karis Wilson; and granddaughter Rylie “Bug” Shoemaker; his beloved nieces and nephews: Tina Keller, Cynde Butts, Serena Latham, Emily Kasap and Phillip Ellison as well as many great-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.  

Linnie will be remembered for his love of telling jokes, working with his hands, farm life, his military service and caring for his animals.

An internment is planned for late spring at the Springfield Veterans Cemetery, details to be announced.

The family will host an informal gathering of family and friends to remember the life of Linnie on Saturday, February 8, from 3-5 p.m. at Everton Community Church.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Everton Community Church, 102 E. Church Street, Everton, MO, 65646.