Bruce Simmons

Bruce Simmons, age 90, passed away Saturday, December 24, 2022 at Hamilton Hospital in Olney. Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 28, 2022, at Lunn Funeral Home in Olney. Graveside services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 29, 2022, at Restland Cemetery in Olney with Mark Green, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Lunn Funeral Home of Olney.
Bruce was born on October 10, 1932, in Allen, Kansas to the late Merle Delbert Simmons and Luella Beth (Leavell) Simmons. While just a teenager, he took his saddle and travelled by train to New Mexico to get his first experience of being a cowboy. He graduated from Allen High School and moved to Texas continuing his dream of being a cowboy on a big ranch. He married Joye Lewis on February 28, 1951, in Palo Pinto County, Texas, and they joined many other newlyweds by carving their initials on the sandstone wall at the courthouse. They moved from Graham to Olney in 1965 when Bruce was hired by Red Livingston to be the bulldozer operator for Megargel Drilling Company. He was known as the best dozer operator in North Texas! After many years on the dozer, Bruce became the Office Manager. When the drilling operation declined, Bruce continued working for Red as a cowboy and ranch hand at the ranch at Benjamin. After retiring, he worked in the meat market at Stewart's Food Store for several years. Bruce loved horses, rodeos, country and western dancing and sports of all kinds. He was a great supporter of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren by attending their sporting events and other activities. He was a member of the Young County Masonic Lodge #485. After Joye's passing on December 5, 2011, Bruce rekindled his love for dancing. He went dancing weekly with a group of friends from Olney and Archer City. This is where he met Patricia "Tom" Alexander and they were married on January 16, 2014, in Olney.
Bruce was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joye; his sister and brother-in-law, Carol and Arlon Bryson; his brother, L.M. "Bub" Simmons; his sister, Judy Boline; and his step-daughter, Shari Ann Haigood.
Bruce is survived by his wife, "Tom" of Archer City; his children: Lewis Simmons of Wichita Falls, Rodney Simmons and wife Jan of Olney, Becky Marchand and husband Todd of Azle, and a step-son, Chris Haigood and his partner John Weaver of Allen; one brother, David Simmons and wife Connie of Blytheville, Arkansas; one sister, Susan Partridge and husband Chuck of Williamsburg, Virginia; sister-in-law, Jan Simmons of Wichita, Kansas; brother-in-law, Leonard Boline of Olathe, Kansas; seven grandchildren: Brett Simmons and wife Vicky of Thornton, Colorado, Katie King and husband Casey of Stephenville, Gabe Simmons and wife Calli of Olney, Brad Simmons and wife Kristy of Olney, Dane Simmons and wife Crystal of Olney, Colin Marchand and wife Payton of Hughes Springs and B.J. Marchand of Azle; seventeen great-grandchildren: Jack, Grace, Carson, Candan, Annalise, Addie, Alayna, Hunter, Justin, Morgan, Kami, Natalie, Thomas, Makayla, Parker, Nelson and Penny; numerous loving nieces, nephews and his best little companion "Murphy".
Memorials may be made to Hamilton Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 158, Olney, Texas 76374.
Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.lunnfuneralhome.com.