Neil Clifton Simmons

Neil Clifton Simmons, 81, of Sun Lakes, Arizona, passed away on Saturday, October 12, 2024. He was born in Langley Field, Virginia, on November 24, 1942. Neil graduated from Kubasaki High School, Okinawa, in June of 1962. Raised by a career Air Force Officer, Henry Clifton Simmons, Neil wanted to serve his country. He signed up, was drafted into the Army, and served from 1963 to 1965. Neil was an Infantry Communications Specialist for the 51st Infantry. He was a rifle expert and received an honorable discharge. He continued serving as a Radio Mechanic in the Reserves from 1966 to 1969. He later received an associate’s degree from Eastfield Junior College in Mesquite, Texas. He married Cristie Lee Givens in Lubbock, Texas, on August 18, 1967. Throughout their 57 years married, they resided in Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, and Arizona. Neil had a career in Digital Electronics for 3M Business Machines, Dallas, Texas, from 1969 to 1978 and at Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, New Mexico, from 1978 to 2006. He was a member of the church of Christ in multiple cities and was passionate about studying and teaching the Bible to people of all ages. He served as an elder for two congregations for three and then four years. He held a strong appreciation for music. He played, taught, and encouraged any of his children and grandchildren who were interested in music. He urged them all to work their best in all of their interests. His other interests included home projects, working on cars, and spending time with his girls on various adventures and road trips. His favorite years were when they lived in Edgewood, New Mexico, and Prescott, Arizona, and as a child, when he lived in Florida on Dairy Road. He enjoyed time in the mountains and looking across the span of places he would call “the top of the world.” He is survived by his wife Cristie; their three daughters, Tereasa Mansfield, Sendy Green, and Lori Cox; their sons-in-law, Scott Mansfield and Jeff Green; nine grandchildren, Gabriel Mansfield and his wife Jadyn, Jonathan Green, Addie Green, Abby Mansfield, Sam Mansfield, Alex Green, Colton Cox, Hunter Cox, and Wyatt Cox; his sister Malissa Rayleen Goff and her husband, Gary Goff, along with four nieces and their spouses, Pam and Ron McCall, Mendy and Mark Newman, Jennifer and Jared Schmidt, Tami and Paul Hodnett a nephew, Lin Aker, and numerous grand-nieces and nephews with their spouses and children. He loved and was loved by his family and many church friends who were considered family.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Neil's memory may be made to Coulter McCall Memorial School, https://secure.orphanslifeline.org/forms/give-any-amount.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.mariposagardens.com for the Simmons family.

There will be a memorial service in Lubbock, Texas at South Plains Church of Christ on November 30, 2024 at 1:00 PM. A second service will be on December 21, 2024 in Mesa, Arizona at 10:30 AM at Mesa Church of Christ.