Jimmy Wayne Simmons

Jimmy Wayne Simmons was born on October 8, 1932. He grew up on a farm in McLean, Texas and told many stories about his early years there. He actually recalled how he and his family came across the plains in a covered wagon in the mid - 1930's and how he would ride his horse to and from school.

Jimmy was a true Patriot and loved his United State dearly. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and was stationed in Japan, Hawaii, Alaska, San Diego, Hong Kong, Okinawa, The Philippines and Great Lakes, Illinois. He was a Cryptologist/Naval Intelligence, copying and intercepting Morse code transmissions from the enemy. He served on the U.S.S. Oriskany, U.S.S. Bennington and several other ships and submarines. Jimmy also served during the Korean War. Upon his discharge from the Navy, he briefly worked for Boeing in Seattle, Washington and helped build the very first 707 Aircraft and B-52 Bomber. After leaving Seattle, Jimmy moved to Amarillo, Texas and began work at Roberts Lumber and became a carpenter soon thereafter. He met and married his wife Shirley in 1968 and selflessly helped raise her three children from her previous marriage. Jimmy spent a lot of time with the children fishing, riding motorcycles and just being a great Dad. In 1970, Jimmy and Shirley welcomed the birth of their son Brandon. Jimmy's giving and unselfish attitude, integrity, honesty and devotion to fatherhood are the traits Brandon remembers most about his Dad. Everyday, after a hard days work, Jimmy would come home, get Brandon and go to a nearby pharmacy for a piece of candy and then go watch airplanes land at a local municipal airport together. He taught Brandon how to play baseball and loved the memories and experience of coaching and watching Brandon as he excelled in sports.

Jimmy loved to watch NASCAR and enjoyed driving himself when he traveled. Distance never bothered him as he would drive from Dallas to Utah and back with his dog Buddy and his previous dog Duchess. Jimmy's travels took him to nearly every state in the U.S. except for Montana, Idaho and a few states in the northeast.

He honestly felt he lived in the greatest time our country has ever seen. He loved being self-employed and was so proud of his contribution to the construction of many quality homes. Personally, spending time with family was the thing that he loved most.

Jimmy passed away December 18, 2009 in Dallas, Texas. He is survived by son Brandon Wayne Simmons and wife Serene, ex-wife Shirley Randall, grandson Dalton Wayne Simmons, granddaughters Skyler Davis, Savana King, sister Delores Simmons, step-daughter Kim Pickett and husband Mike, step-sons Mark Green and Bo and dog Buddy.

A committal service will be held Friday, January 22, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at DFW National Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. A Wake will be held at his son's home on Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 10-2 p.m. at 8805 Somerville Way, Plano, Texas 75025