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Lon Simmons Obituary
Memories and Condolences
for Lon Simmons
20 Entries
Robert Scagliola
January 29, 2019
I preferred to hear Mr. Simmons's call on the radio of the 49er games. Nobody ever set up the field as well as Lon did. And boy o boy he was a fan, delighting in the teams successes. He made my introduction to serious fandome in those glorious early 70's years truly an unforgettable experience. My condolences pour out to all whose hearts and minds he touched. thanks my radio friend and rest in peace.
Hopi Schott
May 15, 2015
Say hi to Grandpa Bill (Rigney) for me...I was honored and lucky to know you, you are so missed
Donna garrison
May 8, 2015
"And you can tell it goodbye" I so miss hearing Lon so excited. RIP, you made baseball fun for me
Tom Dwyer
May 4, 2015
I grew up listening to the best Lon Simmons.He was funny irreverent and he got excited when something exciting happened on the Gideon, or the diamond. Truly one of the greatest that I ever listened to. RIP and thank you for all the great memories.
Glen Woods
April 22, 2015
I loved listening to Lon Simmons call the Giants games. And for some reason I also remember a day when he flew his plane over the stadium during the game, and the broadcasters of the day pointed that out. Lon was an amazing talent and a superb gentleman.
April 21, 2015
Lon was and Icon and "You can Kiss it good bye" was his signature home run call. He is one of the greatest announcers that ever called the game!!!! the Giants have lost a monumental figure of their organization.
Bob Holman
April 16, 2015
I listened and watched Lon and Russ since 1958 and they made baseball my one and only sport. It's still that way. I have been quite ill for some eight months and today, April 16th, is the first day I have been able to know any news. I turned the game on and the first thing I learn? Lon's passing!
I simply can't go on. GOD bless you Lon.
Bob Holman
Maryanne Zobec
April 9, 2015
As a youngster, I always looked forward to listening to Lon Simmons and Russ Hodges call the Giants games on KSFO.They made all those games so exciting and enjoyable. I wish we could bring those days back again. Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for the great memories. You will be missed by all!
Ocean Beach San Francisco, CA
Nancy Federico
April 7, 2015
Hello Robin, I wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and the entire Simmons family at this time. I remember at least one or two trips to Palm Springs to visit you and your Dad after you first moved there from the Bay Area. Lon was such a gracious man, kind, soft spoken, and always respectful. I remember the gorgeous portrait of his wife, your Mother prominently placed in the living room. My thoughts are with you and your family. Hope you are doing will as are your sisters. Hopefully all that know you at our residence at 805 San Antonio Rd, Los Altos, back in the day,are well and comforting you at his time.
What memories we have.
I have attached a sunset from my living room at Ocean Beach, SF for you and your family as I remember.
Love to you and all.
Nancy Federico and Teresa Federico sends the
same wishes to all of you.
Henry
April 7, 2015
So Lon(g),Simmons your voice will forever be implanted in our hearts, minds , and souls. You were one of the broadcasters who didnt talk in his sleep.
Carole Dutra
April 7, 2015
Thanks for all the wonderful memories you and Russ created over the years while calling the Giants games. Our family will never forget you!!
Jennifer Urbain
April 6, 2015
Thank you, Mr. Simmons, for all you were to the game, to San Francisco, and to the fans who you educated, assuring that the best game ever played will be passed along in perpetuity. I know my dad is up there shaking your hand and buying you a beer. God rest you and thank you for being one of the games' greatest gentlemen.
Roy Talavera
April 6, 2015
I met Lon at a Giants camp at candlestick, he told us great stories, I will always remember him when ever I hear a Giants or 49ers game on the radio, he was a good guy always had time for the fans
John Caito
April 6, 2015
Was 1962 when this lifetime S.F. Giants fan attended his first game. Willie Mays,,,Lon Simmons,,,,two big names in the organization and many others
Candy Perri
April 6, 2015
My heart is very sad today as a voice is silenced. I grew up listening to Lon on the radio calling Giant's and 49er games. This is such a huge loss to the Sports Industry and to all Lon's fans all over the world. He will be so missed by so many, but I will hear his voice in my memory forever. God Bless You, Lon, as you call the games in Heaven. My warmest of condolences to the Simmons' family.
Candy Perri
Pleasanton, CA
Butch Furtado
April 6, 2015
Just the sound of your voice would get me interested in the game. You were the best Lon. I even have your bobblehead in my den and I play the recording from time to time. We'll all miss you.
April 6, 2015
It is with great sadness that I heard the news today about Lon's passing. We had maintained our friendship since 1981 and I couldn't think of a more loyal friend and better mentor.
I always said that Bill King taught me how to broadcast while Lon taught me how to be a man!
I knew he was failing when I flew to Hawaii a couple of years ago and I wanted one last chance to spend some quality time with him. Lon picks me up at the airport in Maui and as we are driving to his condo, I decide to tell him what he meant to me as a young broadcaster. All of a sudden, Lon pulls over to the side of the road and slams on the brakes! I was shocked and had no idea what he was doing? Lon puts the car in park and gives me another "life's lesson" right there on the two lane road leading to Wailea! Lon proceeds to tell me that we are friends and that we have put a lot of heart into our friendship and he didn't want to hear how I idolized him or anything of the kind. Friendship is what we had earned together and no one was going to change that. In stunned silence, I watched as he put the car back on the road and off we went, never to discuss that matter again.
Lon was a remarkably humble man who never gave himself his own due! In a business that indulges self promotion as a prerequisite, Lon never entertained the thought because it wasn't a part of his character. Lon lived by a creed and never swayed from it, no matter the cost to him professionally. Lon was always for the underdog and is the ONLY broadcaster I know who offered to give up the microphone during HIS inning so his fellow broadcasters could call the big moment. I know firsthand because he offered to allow me to call Ricky Henderson's record breaking stolen base at County Stadium in Milwaukee in 1982! I literally took my headset microphone off and walked to the back of the booth because Lon insisted that I call it and that's the only way I could insure that HE called it. ( A spectacular play by play call, by the way).
I just wish that the scores of listeners who listened to Lon call the 49ers, Giants, and A's over the years could have met him personally. For those who did, they know that of which I speak. Lon Simmons was a bigger man than his six foot four inch frame because he had a heart that spread the length of the Golden Gate Bridge! A person once wrote, "when John Wayne died, America lost it's last hero". That person never met Lon Simmons!
Wayne Hagin
Laura Hamley
April 6, 2015
I'm going to miss you, Lon. You were a terrific sports announcer, but even more than that, you were a terrific human being. You've been such a tower of strength and support to me since Scotty's passing. Bearing your own physical challenges these past few years, you still found the time and concern to call and support me, helping me through this terrible grief we get to live with when our love is gone. Scotty loved you, Lon, as I do. How blessed we were that we could walk part of this road with you. My deepest sympathies to your daughters. What a guy!!!
Mike Vail
April 5, 2015
Born in San Francisco in 1951, growing up in San Jose and graduating from Mitty High school and playing for the Giants, I am very sad to hear of Lons passing today. My youth was formed by Russ and Lons calls of the Giants games and my Dad taking us up the hill to Candlestick for another double header. I was indeed one of the lucky ones to have Willie Mays as an outfield coach when I got to the Mets in 1975 and to be standing next to Willie MAC at first base after a single to left in San Diego..Even though Lon wouldn't agree, I considered him the best announcer in baseball and for the niners, even though I'm a Raider fan for life. I was truly blessed to know him...Rest in Peace...
April 5, 2015
Lon and Patty were great friends of our family, beginning in the mid-50's in Yuba City. I'll never forget the great stories he shared at family get-togethers and parties. All of the gang from those days are once again united and whooping it up, I'm sure. Bless you, Lon...and, thanks for the memories!
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