Obituary for Neal Milton Sessions

Neal Milton Sessions, 81, passed away peacefully at the home of his daughter Honi Thompson in Freeland, Whidbey Island, Washington on July 16th, 2026 at 1:11 pm. Neal was born January 20, 1945 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Milton Calvin Sessions and Maggie Alene Elison. He was the fourth of seven children and grew up in Farmington, UT.

Neal graduated from Davis High in 1963. He served two years as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Central Atlantic States mission. Following this he served in the US Army in Berlin, Germany from 1966-1967 when he was honorably discharged. Neal continued to serve in the Army reserves until he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2005.


After his active military service, Neal attended college at Weber State and received his Bachelors degree. Neal has always been theatrical, he loved entertaining others and bringing laughter and joy to those he came in contact with. He was exceptionally patient and kind, always up for any adventure. His love for adventure and wandering often led his loved ones to wonder “Where’s Neal?”


In 1971 Neal married Alice Fae Benard, with whom he raised three children, Honi, Landon, and Maggie. Neal purchased a property on the corner of State Street in Farmington and opened the PerrIgrine Art Gallery for a number of years. Neal created an amazing home for his wife and children in Centerville, Utah. He remodeled a home built in 1890 and developed the property into a magical place that was a playground for his children and their friends. His and Alice’s creativity led to their historic home being featured frequently in the news and elsewhere for their extravagant halloween decorations, haunted houses, and beautiful gardens.


Neal chose a career as a building inspector for Davis county. He rose in that field to become Head Building inspector and was forced to retire early when he suffered a stroke at the young age of 43. Neal did not let this event slow him down much and after recovering and overcoming the effects of the stroke he found joy working as a teacher at Northridge High school in the special needs classrooms. He was amazing with the kids and showed incredible patience and love while there. He continued to help at the school well past retirement age, only letting it go in 2020. Thereafter he was cared for and taken on many adventures by his daughter Honi, husband Dave, and children. Which prolonged his happiness and life.


During his life Neal was very involved in his community serving as a Scout Master for many years, serving in his church and always helping family and neighbors. He used his artistic talent and uncanny ability to build and create to better the lives of those he knew. He was a very dedicated father and grandfather and could always be found enjoying his posterity.


Neal is survived by his daughter Honi Berlin Thompson (Husband: Dave, children: Cassadie, Xantha (Steveo), Tazia (Asa), great grandchildren Donray, Gaia, Zaelyn), son Landon Neal Sessions (Wife Emily, children: Bailey, Porter, Merek), and daughter Maggie Colleen Roper, (sons: Kylend(Delaney) and Gage and great grandchild Soren) and many additional family and friends.


If you knew Neal-you loved him, if he knew you he loved you.


A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held Sunday August 16, 2026 at The Kinlands - Arbor House 11887 4000 West, Riverton, Utah. Open house 2-5pm, Memorial Program starts at 3pm. All are welcome to join.

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