Jeff Simmons

Jeff L. Simmons was born on August 24, 1953, in Kansas City, Missouri and he died on June 17, 2023, at the age of 69 in Carrollton, Texas. He was preceded in death by both his parents, James LeRoy Simmons and Georgianna Squires Thurman, his father-in-law, Jesus M. Robles, and his beloved fur-son, Jack.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 16.5 years, Olga Simmons, her mother, Juanita Robles, her siblings, Yolanda Jacquet, Juliana Robles, Martin Robles-Avila, Tony Robles, Abel Robles and his wife Nidia Robles, and a nephew and nieces, A.J. Robles, Isabella Robles, Raquel and Alexis Jacquet.

He was a believer in and follower of Jesus Christ. He loved God, our great country and his family.

Jeff was an entrepreneur at an early age, as he learned to be very independent. At age two, his father died of an aneurysm, which left his mother alone to take care of them.  From the time he was five, his mother worked two jobs. His mother worked hard to provide for them, and fortunately he had a beloved Grandpa as a wonderful sidekick and friend.  One of the best memories he had, was when his grandpa, Grandma & Mom would take him out for a birthday dinner to a Chinese restaurant called King Joy Lo’s and then Grandpa would take him to the toy store to pick out a new toy. What a treat!

At age five, he would take his little red wagon out in the snow and ask the mothers in the neighborhood if he could go to the grocery store for them. They appreciated it and would give him a tip for his good service. By the time he was age 8- 9, he would order a large number of greeting cards direct from the greeting card companies, and package them into smaller bundles and sell them. These experiences would be valuable training for being an entrepreneur later in his life.

When he was 10 years old, his mother remarried and suddenly he had three older stepbrothers, not the best experience in his life but financially, they didn’t have to worry, and his stepdad provided a stable environment. During his freshmen year in high school, he was mature enough to see that he needed a more positive experience and discipline in his life, so he asked his mother and stepfather to send him to military school. This was exactly what he needed. At Wentworth Military Academy, he received the discipline he needed, and he was the quarterback on the football team. He loved watching football teams and considered the Super Bowl another holiday, after the New Year.

His mother and stepdad divorced when he was 17. At age 19, he enlisted in the Marines, but when they found something on his chest X-ray, they declined him for the military, even though he got an independent doctor to do X-rays and it was found to be benign. Later he would realize God had a different plan for him. While he was going to college at The College of William and Mary, he was the radio broadcaster for the school radio station. His father also worked in radio. Jeff was drawn to media and after college; he decided to work in the news broadcasting business. He learned every position from the ground up, from videographer to becoming the main anchor. He would work long hours, 14 hours a day and 7 days a week for months, without a day off. He was very successful, moving quickly to bigger markets, Miami, Seattle, New York and finally Washington D.C. In the mid-90’s, after a successful 20+ years in the news industry, he realized that although he had success, he did not enjoy it anymore.

He decided to move to Dallas, Texas, where he had some distant family from his father’s side. He worked at a family-owned graphics design business, and later started his own business, EAD! Electronic Advertising and Design and BetterBuyMedia.com. His clients were mostly radio stations who needed help advertising on the internet, which was not that common in those days. Later, he started an asset funding business.

Olga and Jeff met in 2005 and were married by Neal Jeffrey a little over a year later at Prestonwood Baptist Church. Jeff and Olga enjoyed the arts, including going to the symphony. Jeff loved all kinds of music, especially classical music and standards, such as songs by Frank Sinatra. He was an avid student of history, and he was adventurous. He loved flying. He once flew an A-4F Skyhawk, and he tried sky diving.

In 2008, Jeff and Olga started a non-profit, The Foundation for a Better America, which helped veterans and their families, mostly during the holidays, to have a nice meal and some gifts for the kids.

In 2012, Jeff saw an adorable Jack Russell terrier on a local news show, and he told his wife “We need to get that dog.” What followed was a joyous almost 10-year period where Olga had her first experience with a dog as a pet. Jeff and Jack were inseparable, as Jeff worked from home, and he took Jack everywhere.

Jeff loved our country so much, that in 2018, he decided to run for US Congress for the 2019 election. While he didn’t win the primary, he then ran as a write-in candidate and won the most votes for a write-in candidate in the history of that district. Getting on the ballot can be a daunting task. He went door-to-door to talk to people and ask for signatures to get on the ballot, and Olga would help on the weekends when not at work.

Although his health was failing, he ran again as an Independent in 2022 for the 2023 election. Jeff was not one to quit. A favorite quote of his: “To those who much is given, much is expected.”

Jeff will be missed but we are comforted that he is no longer suffering, and he is joyfully with our Lord, and enjoying reunions with his mother, father, Grandpa, and of course, Jack.

Jeff and Olga’s daily prayer from Psalm 118:24.

“This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.”  Jeff believed that no matter the trials or limitations, we should be thankful, make the most of the day, and do the best we can in our work and to help others.

“Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.”
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

There will be a celebration of life for Jeff at 11:00 am on Monday, June 26, 2023, at Allen Family Funeral Options, officiated by Neal Jeffrey.  If you wish to join the service via webcast; please visit: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/89667

Jeff will be laid to rest immediately following the service at Wilson Chapel Cemetery, 100 Chapel Lane, McKinney, Texas 75069.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the National Kidney Foundation www.kidney.org , the American Liver Foundation www.liverfoundation.org , or JJJ Rescue (for Jesus, Jeff and Jack- all animal lovers – well, as long as other animals knew he was boss, Jack would tolerate them). Olga and Jeff started this 501c3 organization to provide a refuge for unwanted, abandoned or stray dogs, cats and other animals. Jeff and Olga are both animal lovers and want to continue rescuing them.