Rod Simmons Passes Away

Rod Stanley Simmons was born February 27, 1947.

Rod was a 1965 graduate from Douglas MacArthur High School. He was in Cadet Band, played football, and in the organizing committee for the Big Mac Day, all as a freshman. As a sophomore, he played football again, and added golf. As a junior, Rod played in the Student-Faculty Game.

Rod's formal obituary noted:

Rod Stanley Simmons, 72 of Tacoma, WA formerly of Decatur, IL. passed away peacefully on Thursday July 9, 2020 at 8:25am.
Rod was born on February 27, 1947 in Centralia, IL to the late Gerald and Nancy Simmons. He married Annette M. Jacang on August 11, 1973 in Wahiawa, HI and she survives his passing along with their 2 children.
Rod graduated from Decatur MacArthur High School in 1965, after which he joined the U.S Navy and was stationed in Honolulu, HI. Rod enjoyed his sports and coaching his kids and others. Rodalso enjoyed rebuilding old classic cars and boats and making them amazing. Some of Rod’s other hobbies were cooking, fishing, his family and spending time with his grandchildren.
Surviving are his wife, Annette Simmons of Tacoma, WA for 47years; daughter, Lauren (William) Wall and Son, Roe Simmons. Rod has 3 grandchildren and 2 step-grandchildren which he loved all so very much; Step- Sister Pamela (Jeff) Luecke, Aunt Shirley Simmons Radom, IL, Cousin Andy (Monica) Simmons; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents Gerald and Nancy Simmons, step-mom Joan Simmons, Grandparents Marion and Ralph Williams, Grandfather Wayne Stewart, step brother Chris Simmons, Uncles William, and Dwight Simmons.
Cremation rites have been accorded and there will be plans for a small ceremony at Rod & Annette’s House 2320 N. Narrows Dr. Tacoma, WA. 98406
There will be another service held in December where Rod will be placed at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI. Actual date TBD.

The following public exchange appeared on Facebook, soon after the news of Ron Simmons’ departure swept through our alumni community. It is shared here to recall the enjoyment some of the memory still give us.


Debbie Burrows Wilcox said:

So sorry to hear about Rod’s passing. I always smile when I hear his name because of all the adventures he and Doug Wilcox shared and stories Doug or Dondeville related. One always stands out. He and Doug decided to skip school. They are at Doug’s house. Rod calls school, disguising his voice. “Ahh..this is Mr. Simmons. Rod’s father ahh..and I am calling to say he is sick and I won’t be coming to school today!!” Good times....

Michael Dondeville replied to Debby Burrows Wilcox:

didn’t they skip and go play golf, and one of them made a hole in one and made the newspaper. And because they did they got in trouble with school?

Debbie Wilcox Burrows replied to Michael Dondeville:

I'm not sure if Rod was in on that one, but probably. I’m thinking Loren Reuler and maybe Bob Dondeville were connected. It was Doug who got the hole-in-one. I think I still have the newspaper clipping unless I already gave it to Greg. Doug got a 3 day vacation for that one! Thanks for that memory. If Rod wasn’t there that day I’m sure he laughed his rear end off. What a bunch!

Michael Dondeville reflected to Debby Burrows Wilcox: 

oh ok. Well I’ve heard Rod’s name in many stories while being a kid growing up.

Debbie Dondeville said to Michael Dondeville 

I’m sure you did! Your Dad was one of the pack. Actually, Leader of the Pack!

(See below, for more about the members of the "Gang": Bob Dondeville, Loren Reuler, and Doug Wilcox.)

More on Rod Simmons

Rod moved to Hawaii in the 1970s, married Annette from Hawaii, and then lived in Tacoma since the early 1980s. Annette and Rod had two adult children and grandchildren. 

Rod had suffered a stroke on Christmas Eve 2019, and had been in hospice.

Rod Stanley Simmons died on July 10, 2020, in Tacoma, Washington State. 

Rod's daughter, Lauren Simmons Wall.

2011.

Thanks to Millicent McCaddon Smith for passing along the sad news of the loss of another classmate.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Let's hope Rod's catching and releasing the big one every day now...

###

Debbie Burrows

Notes on the Gang:

Bob Dondeville is still living; see more here about his Vietnam War art.

Loren Reuler passed away on June 23, 2013. He celebrated his 66th birthday on June 10, 2013. (See his obit here.)

Douglas O. Wilcox passed away on February 28, 2009, at 61. He was in the Army Transportation Corp in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era. Douglas was a graduate of SIU in Carbondale with a degree in Marketing. For more see, here.