Ronald Douglas Neil

Ronald Douglas Neil, 66, of Mesa, went home to his Heavenly Father on Wednesday, December 18. He was born in Los Angeles, California, to David Ray Neil and Erma Nedra Baker. He served four years in the US Navy as an electronics technician during the Vietnam war. He married his sweetheart, Peggy Ann Spurgeon, on February 4, 1967, in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho. They were blessed with three wonderful children, Toni Renee Neil (Durda), Sheila Anne Neil, and David Cameron Neil. He was the proud grandfather of nine grandchildren. Ron was a great contributor to education in the state of Arizona, most recently working as the Superintendent of Sequoia Charter School in Mesa. One of his passions was the Children First Academy, which helps with educating homeless children. He was a great lover of people all around him and worked tirelessly to bless the lives of all with whom he came into contact. He leaves a very large hole in the lives of his family, colleagues, and friends that will never be filled. He is survived by his wife, Peggy; their three children, Toni (married to Ethan Durda), Sheila, and David (married to Jossanne Payne); their nine grandchildren, Cameron Noble (married to Neeka Falealili), Brandon Noble, Jessie Durda, Shaun Neil, Bradley Neil, Joshua Neil, Audrey Neil, Roger Neil, and Judd Neil; his brother, Paul Neil, his sisters, Kathy Neil (Barnes)and Tanya Neil (Mills). Services will take place at Mesa AZ South Stake Center at 2334 East Pueblo Avenue on December 27, 2013, at 10am. Public viewing will begin at 9am before the service. His body will be laid to rest at National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona the same afternoon. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Children First Foundation, Desert Paws Rescue, or Friends for Life Animal Rescue .