Kimberly Dawn McNeely, age 60, passed away peacefully at home on July 28, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Born on May 2, 1965 in Texas City and raised in Dickinson, Texas; Kimberly is the daughter of a proud Texan sailor, Gus (Tex) Geisler, who met his soulmate Donna Ortiz while stationed in the Hawaiian islands. Their love story shaped Kimberly’s essence — equal parts strong and soft, adventurous and grounded.
A vibrant, compassionate, and courageous spirit, Kimberly lived a life rich in love, happiness, and connection. She was known everywhere she went for her radiant smile and unmistakable laugh—both of which could light up any room. Even in her final months, nurses and visitors alike remarked on the warmth and joy she carried with her.
Diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020, Kimberly faced her battle with extraordinary grace and quiet strength. She endured multiple surgeries, grueling treatments, experimental trials, and near-death experiences, yet she never complained. She rarely asked for anything. Instead, she poured her love into others; she remained selfless, kind, and compassionate amid unimaginable suffering.
A world traveler, Kimberly lived with her husband Jimmy all over the world, including Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. They rode camels in Egypt, escaped charging elephants in Africa, watched Muay Thai in Thailand, dove with whale sharks in The Philippines and collected too many memories and stories to count as they traversed Asia, Europe, and Africa. Malaysia held special meaning—it was her first overseas home and the place where she, her husband Jimmy, and children Darren, Justin, Amy, and Julie shared the adventure of expat life.
Proud of her heritage, Kimberly found joy and peace in Hawaii’s Aloha spirit and visited often to reconnect with the land and her family. Her soul was drawn to the beach. Building sandcastles with her grandkids, snorkeling, diving, feeling the warmth of the sun on her skin, and the sand beneath her feet made her happy.
After years of travel, Kimberly and Jimmy built and settled into their dream home in New Braunfels, TX, purposefully creating a center of gravity for their ever-expanding family. Over the last 20 years, countless life events, holidays, and birthdays have been celebrated in their beautiful home. She cherished her large, close-knit family above all else and effortlessly showed up for them. She traveled countless miles to attend ball games, birthdays, Girl Scout meetings, graduations, and more; to be there for all of the little moments that mean everything.
