✦ ✦ ✦
Robert C. Simmons, Jr., 88, passed away on October 2, 2009 in Plano, Texas surrounded by his family. He was born in Campti, Louisiana on September 6, 1921 to Robert C. Simmons, Sr. and Cleo Clark Simmons. He attended Fair Park High School in Shreveport, Louisiana where he was a 3 sport letterman in football, basketball and track. World War II interupted his plans to go to college when he entered service as a Navy communications engineer on the USS Fulton in the South Pacific. After the war, he worked in the communications divisions of the KCS Railroad and, later, Jet Electronics before starting his own business, Tri-State Communications.
However, his greatest passion in life was coaching little league football where he won 9 championships over a 14 year span and created the Sunset Acres Elementary School Athletic Club which raised money for uniforms for all the children at the school who wanted to participate in football, baseball and basketball. his greatest joy was teaching kids how to play sports. He took great pride and joy that he was constantly approached by former players who remembered him and wanted to thank him for coaching and teaching them, not just sports, but for imparting life-long lessons in being disciplined and "never giving up".
He was an avid golfer and bowler and was a great fan of LSU football where he enjoyed watching the games with his family and friends. He took great pride that his son, Rick Simmons also played for LSU in the 1970's.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Paula Simmons, his oldest son, Larry Simmons and his fiance' Martha c. Novorr, his granddaughter, Sloan Parker Simmons, his son, Richard N. Simmons and his wife, Rebecca, his sister, Billy Strong and numerous nieces and nephews, all who loved and him and will miss his good-natured and gentle presence in their lives. Visitation will be at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home this Sunday, October 4th beginning at noon with services in the chapel being held at 2:00 PM and burial in Memoryland Memorial Park.