Neil R. Horrocks

Our husband, father and grandfather Neil R. Horrocks passed away in his home in Elwood, UT on May 25, 2020.  He was born May 21, 1945 in Vernal, UT to Rodney B. and Phoebe Martina Hatch Horrocks.  He lived in La Pointe, Utah for the first nine years of his life.  We heard many stories of hunting magpies, shooting off bottle rockets and spending time with his brothers.  When he was nine years old his family moved to Durango, Colorado.  He spent his teenage years there.  He went to Durango High School where he played football, basketball and ran track.  Sports became one of the biggest parts of his life.  He had a love for actively participating in and watching sports.  He instilled the love of sports into all of his children.  He was a BYU football ticket holder and all of his children got the opportunity to go with him to games throughout their lives and it was a great opportunity to bond with him.  All of his kids played sports as well and he never missed their games if he could help it.  He was so supportive of all of his children and grandchildren and what they did in their lives. He served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Northwestern States Mission.  We heard amazing stories of this time in his life and he loved it.  When he returned home from his mission he started dating the love of his life and wife of 49 years, Lila Sue Shock. He joined the army and served honorably for 3 years.  He was stationed in Germany during the Vietnam War and he was a generator repair man for them.  He left the army to go to school.  He graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Exercise and Sports Science and continued on to get his Master's degree in Municipal Recreation Administration from Brigham Young University.  While at BYU he was involved in any and every sport they had available.  He had a roommate that came by to visit and he said one of the main things he remembers about Neil is that he couldn't beat him in anything!  He was super competitive, athletic, and worked hard in what ever he did.  He married Lila Sue Shock on March 5, 1971.  They were married in the Salt Lake Temple for time and all eternity.  They have 8 children and 35 grandchildren.  He has worn many hats throughout his life.  He has been a real estate broker, a real estate agent, a loan officer, transmission sales rep, bus driver, mechanic, garbage truck driver, custodian and a coach for all of his kids sports!  He was a faithful member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and served wherever he was asked.  He and his wife served a stake proselyting mission together in Midvale, Utah Stake in the Salt Lake City Central Mission.  Ice cream was his favorite thing.  He would take his kids on dates and we always went to get ice cream, after BYU games we would always stop for ice cream, he never would eat a pie without a pile of ice cream on the top.  He one time sat down and ate 3 gallons in one sitting.  He was very proud of this feat! Over the years he has rescued us from car break downs and work emergencies.  Dad has witnessed all of our weddings, baby blessings, and baptisms.  He has worked at all of our houses, fixed many of our cars, changed hundreds of diapers and driven millions of miles to be at everything for everyone.  He was the worst to play games with because he hated to lose. He was always honest with us whether it was something nice or something not so nice.  He made the BEST rolls. He grumbled the loudest but cried the easiest.  He loved and served unconditionally.  He was an amazing man and he will be missed!

Neil is survived by his wife, Lila Sue; his 8 children, Kisha (Mike), Kirby (Amy), Kerry (Melissa), Kristi (Scott), Kurtis (Camille), Kendall (Alison), Kelly (Amber), Kendra (Cory), and 35 grandchildren; brothers Dwain (Barbara) and Kent (Jane); sister Sherene. He was preceded in death by father, Rodney B; mother, Phoebe; brother, Melvyn; brother, Doyel; sister, Gayla and 2 grandchildren.

We would like to thank all our family and friends for the outpouring of love and support. A private family service will be held at Camp Williams on May 29, 2020.  There will be a luncheon at Kristi's home on May 29,, 2020 at 1:00 pm. We would love any and all who would like to come to join us there to celebrate his life.  Her address is 8496 N. Lakeshore Dr., Lake Point, Utah.