Dave Simmons, age 79, of Lake Coleman, went home to the Lord on Wednesday, April 20, 2016, at his residence. Funeral service will be held at 12 Noon on Saturday, April 23, in Stevens Funeral Home Chapel in Coleman with Rev. Brad Slaten officiating. Interment will follow in Elmwood Memorial Park in Abilene. Services are under the direction of Stevens Funeral Home.
Dave was born December 9, 1936 in New Castle, Indiana, a son of Robert A. Simmons, Sr. and Lena Miriam Pfenninger Simmons. He grew up in New Castle and graduated from New Castle Senior High School in 1955, where he was the bass drummer in the band. In 1956 he joined the United States Air Force and retired after twenty years of service to his country. On August 17, 1958 he married his high school sweetheart, Jean Smith, in New Castle, Indiana. They lived in many places while he was serving in the Air Force. In 1971, he was assigned to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene and retired from there in 1976.
Following his retirement, he owned the Driftwood Restaurant at Lake Coleman. He also enjoyed fishing and riding his motorcycle. He was a member of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association, where he was Chapter Director of Brownwood Chapter 02. He and Jean were chosen Texas District Couple of the Year in 2010-2011. He was living at Lake Coleman at the time of his death.
He is survived by his wife, Jean; a daughter, Mickey Lackey of Abilene; a son, Doug Simmons of Abilene; two brothers, Robert A. Simmons, Jr. and wife Nancy and Steven L. Simmons and wife Carol; a sister, Ruth Elaine Rogers; four grandchildren, Jennifer Redman of Vacaville, California, Christopher Dominguez and wife Brandi of Nampa, Idaho, Jay Allen Lackey of Abilene, Willum Lackey and wife Madlyn of Grand Prairie; six great-grandchildren, Amanda, Bradley, Corey, Riely, Jacob and Colette; and a great-great granddaughter, Charlotte.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson-in-law, Shane Redman.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 400 W. Pecan Street, Coleman, Texas.
