Ted Franklin Simmerman

1947 - 2025

Emmett - Ted Simmerman died at his home in Emmett at the age of 78 on December 15. Ted was born in Renton, WA on May 27, 1947 to Theodore and Mary Wilson Simmerman. He spent most of his boyhood with his father, Theodore, older brother Larry, and half-sister Debbie in Dennisville, NJ. After high school, Ted attended Philadelphia Wireless Institute until he was drafted in 1966 at age 19. In Vietnam Ted qualified for special forces training and then served as an LRRP (long range reconnaissance patrol). He was captured and taken as a POW, his injuries eventually earning him a Purple Heart. After being discharged from the army, Ted made his way to southern California. In California, Ted earned a masters degree in Marine Biology at CSULB, then became certified as a cytotechnologist at L.A. County-USC Medical Center. Ted spent the majority of his medical career as supervisor of the Cytology lab at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center in Boise. Ted reinvented himself time and time again throughout his many years. In his 20's and early 30s, he traveled the country in a VW bus, worked as a carpenter and a vet tech, became a Christian, surfed, and played guitar with Bryan Wilson on the beach (as he recounts it). During his 35 years in Star, Idaho he was a father, a foster dad, a farmer, an avid collector of war memorabilia, an Ada County Planning and Zoning commissioner, a computer technician, a youth-group leader and a fly fisherman. When he moved to Emmett he took up horseback riding, volunteered at a ranch, delved into landscape photography and umpired for little league. Ted loved to write poetry and essays. He had a big heart for the ones he loved and those in need. He gave selflessly and worked tirelessly. He will be remembered by his silly sense of humor, his love of learning, his story telling and his big goofy smile. Ted is survived by his sister Debbie and her daughter Dori, his daughter Lacey, his son James and his grandson Brandon. Funeral Arrangements are being made with Alsip and Persons funeral chapel in Nampa.