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Dan Simmons Obituary
Dan graduated from Phillips High School and furthered his education at Texas Tech University, where he cultivated a lifelong passion for the Red Raiders. His professional journey in the transportation industry led him and his family to many corners of America, enriching their lives with experiences and adventures across the country.
A man of deep faith, Dan was actively involved in churches wherever they lived. The latest being Radiant Life Church (to be close to the grands) and Pioneer Drive Baptist Church (to nourish his traditional soul). His commitment to his faith was also expressed through his participation in Bible Study Fellowship, men's prayer meetings, and his volunteer work with Samaritan's Purse and the Drane family hurricane relief support.
Five minutes in Dan's presence and you walked away knowing a few things: he loved Jesus, the great state of Texas (it is in fact, the largest state in the union...if you melt all the ice in Alaska that is), and the Dallas Cowboys are indeed God's football team. Dan was gifted with wood working projects but we learned quickly to never let him work on our cars. Dan enjoyed storytelling, many would say 'fish stories,' reading, history, laying in the sun and you rarely saw him without a ball cap upon his head.
He is survived by his loving wife, Elizabeth (Liz) Simmons; son Joe Simmons and his wife Kathy; daughter Amy Bledsoe and her husband Jake; sister Julie Bailey; sister-in-law Peggy Simmons; and many nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his brother Steve Simmons.
Services will be held Thursday, August 1 at 10:00 AM at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church, 701 S. Pioneer Dr., Abilene, TX, with the entrance at Room 111 located on Buccaneer Dr. directly across from Bonham Elementary School.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Cal Farley's Boys Ranch, 600 SW 11th Ave., Amarillo, TX 79101-3228. Donations can also be made online at calfarley.org or via phone at 800-687-3722. Please request acknowledgments to be sent to Elizabeth Simmons, 744 Marsalis Dr., Abilene, TX. 79603. Dan often played football against the boys of Cal Farley's Ranch throughout high school. Phillips High School donated uniforms and equipment to the Ranch regularly.
Dan's memory will be cherished as a testament to his love for his family, his unwavering faith, and his commitment to giving back to the community. His legacy will continue to inspire those who knew him. GUNS UP!
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4 Entries
René Matthews
July 31, 2024
My favorite memories about Uncle Dan involve our ongoing Cowboys-Saints wager. Each time our beloved teams played, we were faced with the horror of having to gift something football related to the winner. Sometimes the horror could also be experienced by the victor. For example, Aunt Liz sewed on some hideous lace around the Saints t-shirt collar so tightly, there was no way my head was ever going to fit through that tiny hole! Once I was gifted an COWBOYS t-shirt! I did wear it, and I ended up taking pictures with a Cowboys fan in the produce section of Whole Foods. Over the years, we have both received many terrific and fun gifts. More fun than the gifts was the taunting that lasted year round.
I recall finding a Cowboys helmet poster at a school book fair. My eyes gleamed with a diabolical idea. I wrote, "Saints rule! Cowboys drool!" in black permanent marker on the poster. Then I cut the poster up like a jigsaw puzzle so he would have to put the puzzle together to be insulted! I mailed it off to Uncle Dan and waited. It didn´t take long for me to receive a text which simply stated, "This means war."
I so enjoyed our wager, and playing the Cowboys won´t be the same without Uncle Dan. I think most Saints fans will understand if I also pull for the Cowboys because my Uncle Dan was the best.
Go Cowboys!
Scott Simmons
July 29, 2024
My Uncle Dan was a character in all of the best ways! He was that uncle you needed in childhood to let you get away with a little more than you could at home. In my adult years, he became a great and loved friend. He and my Aunt Liz were gracious hosts who always made room for us at their places in Texas, Louisiana, and California. In later years, we greatly enjoyed their trips to the Rockies and were able to reciprocate hosting at our home in Colorado. I'll be expecting little bets from him from Heaven every time Texas Tech plays Texas... I'll just have to owe him when I lose!
Cynthia (Drane) Hight
July 29, 2024
Aunt Liz and Uncle Dan always sent me a Christmas letter and photo, which I looked forward to every year. My favorite - in combination of its inventiveness, and later "how" they took the photo - was the in-the-woods portrait soaking in a huge water trough ("cowboy hot-tub"). Now this was before the invention and convenience of iphones/selfies. They donned picture-perfect smiles and cowboy hats. Much later, he described to me how many "takes" they attempted to get the one perfect shot. The previous attempts had Uncle Dan in assorted positions half-in/half-out of the tank. I remember him laughing at his mistakes.
Scott Simmons
July 29, 2024
My Uncle Dan was a character in all of the best ways! He was that uncle you needed in childhood to let you get away with a little more than you could at home. In my adult years, he became a great and loved friend. He and my Aunt Liz were gracious hosts who always made room for us at their places in Texas, Louisiana, and California. In later years, we greatly enjoyed their trips to the Rockies and were able to reciprocate hosting at our home in Colorado. I'll be expecting little bets from him from Heaven every time Texas Tech plays Texas... I'll just have to owe him when I lose!
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