Life Legacy

Dr. Neal Harold Kilmer, 73, of Las Cruces, loving husband, brother, cousin, and grandfather, passed peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus on Monday, April 3, 2017, at Arbors of Del Rey. Neal was a kind and humble man who lived his life with integrity and he loved his Lord Jesus Christ. Neal was born April 24, 1943, in Orange, TX to his mom Luella Sharp Kilmer and his dad Harold Kilmer. Four yeas later his sister Barbara joined the family. Luella, Neal, and Barbara moved close to family in Alva, Oklahoma where they spent wonderful family time with their family; Flora and Hugh Sharp, Aunt Lorene and Uncle Fred Barnes and cousins Peggy, Nancy and Johnny Barnes. Neal graduated from Alva High School on May 26, 1960, and went on to school at Northwestern State College in Alva, Oklahoma. At Northwestern State College he received the Bauch and Lomb Honorary Science Award while a freshman. He graduated with a Bachelor in Science on May 22, 1964. He loved science so continuing his love for science he went on to Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, OK. From Oklahoma State, he graduated with a Master of Science degree. Then he went on to Michigan State University and received his doctorate in Chemistry on March 16, 1979. From there, Neal traveled to Socorro, NM to the School of Mines and worked in oil recovery. Then he came to Las Cruces to work at PSL and then in software engineering at the NASA Site. While at Michigan State Neal learned to square dance. When in Socorro, NM he danced with the Duke City Singles. After moving to Las Cruces he danced with the Los Solteros. There he met Jody Geary whom he later he married on October 24, 1998. He and Jody made their life in Las Cruces and they square danced all across the USA. In addition to enjoying square dancing, he liked to attend Star Trek gatherings. He was a member of Sonoma Springs Covenant Church and loved his Christian family. Neal also enjoyed astronomy. He enjoyed watching the Great Courses series on various astronomy topics. Neal was a sweet and kind grandfather to their four grandchildren: Stephanie (Josh), Jennifer, Melissa, and Christopher. Neal is preceded in death by his Grandparents Hugh and Flora Sharp, his mother Luella Sharp Kilmer, his father Harold Kilmer, his Aunt Lorene and Uncle Fred Barnes, his brother in law Marion Hiett, and his cousin Don Kilmer. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife Jody Kilmer, his sister Barbara Hiett, his stepdaughter and husband Ginger and Curtis Ober, his grandchildren Stephanie (Josh) Martin, Jennifer Ober, Melissa Ober, and Christopher Ober, his cousins Peggy (Ron) Mapes, Nancy (Bob) Case, Johnny Barnes and Natalie(Tim) Gifford, and Belle Erickson his sister in law as well as many second cousins and friends. His family would like to thank the staff of Arbors of Del Rey for their loving care of Neal. There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 24, 2017, at 11:00 AM at Sonoma Springs Covenant Church, 3940 Sonoma Springs Avenue, 88011. After the Celebration of Life, there will be a light meal served at the church. In lieu of flowers please make donations to Sonoma Springs Covenant Church or to a charity of your choice in Neal's memory. Neal was interred at Masonic Cemetary at a previous graveside service. PDF Printable Version