Lori Watts
99w
Thanksgiving
Thinking of you ♥️♥️ You are forever in our hearts! Love Barry, Lori, Reba, Morgann, & Cash
In loving memory of Neil James Archibald, beloved husband and father.
Neil James Archibald
February 26, 1980 – May 1, 2024
Lived 44 years
Evergreen Cemetery Omaha, & Smith Cemetery Rural Nelson · Omaha & Rural Nelson, Nebraska
"Hunting In Heaven"
Life story
Neil James Archibald, a beloved husband and father, passed away on May 1, 2024, at the age of 44 in Elkhorn, NE. Born on February 26, 1980, in LaVista, Neil was cherished by many for his kindness, dedication, and zest for life.
Neil's journey began at Papillion-LaVista High School, where he graduated in 1998, marking the commencement of a life filled with academic excellence and achievements. He furthered his education at the University of Nebraska Omaha, where he not only earned his degree but also became the inaugural recipient of the prestigious Mammel Scholarship. His commitment to academic excellence was evident as he graduated Summa cum laude, a testament to his intellect and dedication.
Professionally, Neil made significant contributions as the Chief Information Officer at Standard Nutrition in Omaha for over a decade. His leadership, vision, and innovative spirit left an indelible mark on the company and the industry as a whole.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Neil embraced life with passion and enthusiasm. He found solace and joy in water sports, took to the skies with his drone and RC airplanes, and enjoyed coyote and deer hunting, as well as fishing. His love of building Lego sets as a young child continued into his adulthood and is a passion he taught and shared with his children.
Neil's adventurous spirit extended to his role as a Captain on the La Vista Volunteer Fire Department, where he served with unwavering dedication for a decade, ensuring the safety and well-being of his community. His passion as a community leader continued as he served as the President of the Andresen Meadows Home Owners Association and a Trustee of Sanitary Improvement District No. 555 in Elkhorn, leaving behind a legacy of unity and dedication to the neighborhood's betterment.
On May 8, 2019, Neil's life took a beautiful turn when he crossed paths with Ellie Watts. Their love story blossomed over shared dreams, laughter, and cherished moments. Neil proposed to Ellie on December 25, 2020, and they began their journey as a married couple on August 5, 2023, surrounded by the love and blessings of their family and friends.
Neil will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by his wife Ellie, and children Payton, Noah, Myah, and Lilliana Archibald. He leaves behind his parents, Patrick and Diana Archibald, his brother, Mark (Miranda Adams) Archibald. Neil's memory will also be cherished by his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Carl and Janice Watts, his brother-in-law, Barry (Lori) Watts, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, a nephew, and countless friends whose lives he touched with his warmth and generosity.
Photos
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Lifetime
The world Neil knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
1980
Born February 26
1989
Neil was 9 when "The Simpsons" debuted as a series
1994
Neil was 14 when "Friends" premiered
1995
Neil was 15 when "Toy Story" became the first fully computer-animated film
1998
Inagural recipient of the Mammal Scholarship, University of Nebraska Omaha
1998
Graduated High School Papillion La Vista Senior High
1998
Captain, La Vista Volunteer Fire Department
2002
In-Charge Deloitte & Touche
2002
Graduated Cum Laude, B.S. in Business Administration, College University of Nebraska at Omaha
2004
Neil was 24 when Facebook was launched
2005
Chief Financial Officer Cornhusker Motor Lines
2005
Neil was 25 when the first video was posted to YouTube
2007
Controller Wynne Transport Service
2013
Controller, promoted to Chief Information Officer Standard Nutrition Company
2015
Certified Public Accountant CPA Permit to Practice
2016
Parenthood: Father to Payton, Noah, Myah, Lilliana
2019
Proposed to Ellie Watts
2022
President, Andresen Meadows HOA Elkhorn, NE
2022
Trustee, SID #555 Andresen Meadows Elkhorn, NE
2022
Remote Pilot License, Small Unmanned Aircraft
2023
Married Ellie Watts
2024
Passed away May 1, age 44
Tributes and memories
4 memories shared
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Ellie Watts
116w
Happy 1st Anniversary!
Hey babe, miss you today and everyday. One year ago today we said I DO in front of our closest friends and family. It's hard to celebrate without you here. Our cake top survived 4 days without power in the freezer, I cut into it today with our engraved wedding items. I hope you're celebrating in Heaven too!!! Likely with your famous smoked old fashioned or maybe "our drink" a Moscow mule! I was so excited to see this silver medallion I ordered to honor our anniversary came in the mail early today! So I rushed to the cemetery to place it for you! We were so happy on our wedding day and we had waited so long for the day to arrive. If I had to do it all over again, I'd meet you sooner so I could love you longer. 💖 Love you forever, Ellie
Ellie Watts
117w
Smith Cemetery
Hey Babe, Your headstone was just placed this week at the Smith Cemetery and it's perfect. I came to see it and also place the Turning Heart Medallion QR code. While here I received a notice that I was included in Pastor Craig Grochel's FB post about praying with someone. It's another sign that you and God are with me always and a message to use my story (OUR story) to help others. I'm so blessed to have met Pastor Craig, his wife Amy and have the support of our Life.Church Omaha family. Thank you and God for making that happen Neil. 💖🙏🙌 I know you will love this view, under the tree looking out over the river bottom towards the farm. Just think how many hours we spent calling coyotes on that ol' dirt road in the distance. It's not the same here without you, but like the Hardy song Give Heaven some Hell...I hope you have some new stories to tell when I get there. 😘 Love you forever, Ellie
Ellie Watts
118w
Missing you
Visiting you today, missing you like crazy. I placed this fancy little QR code, that I know you'd enjoy the techy side of it to scan from your phone, so anyone whom visits can read about you and leave a tribute. Life is not the same without you babe, our 1st Anniversary is coming up and I feel so robbed of a lifetime of love and happiness. Your time here on earth was cut too short. Every day that passes is another day closer to seeing you again, keep watching over with love and protection. Keep sending me little reminders and signs, they put a smile on my face and give me hope to move forward. I love you, forever and ever....to heaven and back. As Blake Shelton said, God gave me you. 💖😘 Ellie
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Evergreen Cemetery Omaha, & Smith Cemetery Rural Nelson
Omaha & Rural Nelson, Nebraska
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