Vincent "Kipp" Simms' Obituary
Vincent Kipp Simms, our beloved husband, father, son, brother, cousin, and uncle, passed away on April 13, 2026, at IMC in Murray, UT, after a valiant fight with Stage 4 esophageal cancer. He was surrounded by his loving family.
Kipp, as he was known to family and friends, was born on June 7, 1973, to Vincent J. and Jessie O'Donnell Simms in Price, UT. He grew up in Spring Glen ("Simmsville") among brothers, cousins, and friends. His days there were spent searching "Grandpa's Hill" for Indian pottery, 4-wheeling, rappelling, and swimming in the Price River—all those things boys love to do. He was the family gardener and mowed lawns in Spring Glen for several years.
Kipp graduated from Carbon High School in 1992, lettered in cross country, and served on the seminary council. He served an LDS mission in the Texas San Antonio Mission.
He graduated from Weber State University in 2006 as an electronic engineer and worked as a field engineer for various engineering firms in the SLC/Provo area.
In October 1999, he married Janae Brown in the Mount Timpanogos Temple; they were later divorced. On October 6, 2018, Kipp married the love of his life, Michelle McCracken, whom he first met when they were both missionaries in San Antonio. When he saw her at the airport, he felt the impression that she was the angel he would one day marry. It took 26 years, but he finally won her heart. They were sealed in the Provo City Center Temple, and Kipp was never happier.
Kipp loved spending time with his son, Skyler Kipp, and his daughter, Aleya Michelle, and was completely devoted to them. Kipp was the best dad. He loved fishing, but cancer eventually took away his ability to cast his line. He was also an avid journal writer and filled over 50 journals, reflecting on his life and experiences. Ever the daredevil, on his 50th birthday, he arranged for his brothers to go skydiving with him to celebrate.
Kipp was diagnosed with cancer on October 1, 2024, just a few days before Kipp and Michelle's wedding anniversary. His brothers filled their home with flowers the day he came home from the hospital. Kipp fought a valiant battle, enduring excruciating pain with a positive and cheerful attitude. All he wanted was 24 hours without pain. “I'm going to beat this,” he would say.
Kipp is survived by his loving wife, Michelle, of Murray, UT; son, Skyler Kipp, of Dallas, TX; daughter, Aleya Michelle, of Provo; mother, Jessie Simms, of American Fork; brothers, Mike Neilsen (Jill), of Beaver; Jared (Sierra), of Spring Glen; Thomas (Amy), of Syracuse; and Nathan (Sheri), of Eagle Mountain; sister-in-law, Layna, of Colorado; mother-in-law, Nancy McCracken, of Sugar House; brother-in-law, Randall McCracken (Andrea Hebert), of Salt Lake City; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
He was preceded in death by his father, Vincent; brothers, Aaron and Steven; and niece, Kaidra.
Funeral services will be Saturday, April 25, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the LDS Church, 6180 S. Glenoaks St., Murray, Utah. Viewings will be Friday, the 24th, from 7:00–9:00 p.m. and Saturday, the 25th, from 10:00–10:45 a.m., both at the church.
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