Harold George Simmons Jr.

Harold George Simmons Jr. Resident of Pleasanton 82, passed away the evening of Monday, December 25, 2006 in his home in Pleasanton. He had been a resident of Pleasanton since 1972. He was born in his grandmother's front parlor in Oakland. He attended school in Oakland until WWII interrupted his education at the end of the 11th grade in 1942. He worked for Melrose Building Materials Company in Oakland while waiting for induction in the Army. He served in the Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns. He was awarded the American Campaign Medal, the European African Middle East Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal. He served until the end of 1945, returning to the States on December 3, 1945. He was very proud of his Army service and of his General, George S. Patton. Harold served in the 119th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, Army of the United States. He was reunited with the love of his life, Anita Heuer. They married on his birthday, November 6, 1946, and moved to Hayward where they raised three daughters. He returned to the working world, first as tile setter, then as a bus driver, and spent the remainder of his working life as a journeyman mechanic. He had many interests ranging from model airplanes, NASCAR, jewelry making, rock hounding, CB radio, scanners, and making contact with old friends. He loved to watch TV infomercials and reality TV. Some of his favorite shows were "How It's Made," Engineering Marvels, and any police show as long as it was "real." Harold was predeceased by his wife of over 57 years, Anita; and his parents, Harold and Maude Simmons. He is survived by his daughters, Leslie Simmons of Pleasanton, Susan Kerr (Mark) of Coarsegold, CA, and Cheryl Llewellyn (David) of Pleasanton; grandchildren, Tony and Joe Frates of Fresno, Jennifer and Michael Rogers of Livermore, and Kevin Kerr of Castaic, CA; and great-grandchildren, Brad, Nolan, Hanna and Haley of Fresno, and Shanae and Justin Kerr of Castaic, CA. Services are scheduled for Tuesday, January 2, 2007, 10 a.m., at the Chapel of the Chimes, 32992 Mission Blvd., Hayward, CA 94544 (510-471-3363 for directions). In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (800) 822-6344, or Tony LaRussa's Animal Rescue Foundation, (925) 256-1273.