Dorman L. Simmons

Dorman Simmons, age 89, passed away Thursday, December 11, 2025.

Dorman grew up on their family farm near Strong City, Kansas.  After graduating from Strong City Rural High School in 1954, he spent a little time at K-State and then enlisted in the Army, spending his three years in Hawaii.

After graduating from Emporia State University in 1963, he taught two years at Westmoreland Rural High School and spent the rest of his career teaching industrial arts at the Haysville Middle School. The close-knit staff at the Haysville Middle School became his second family. He enjoyed coaching football there. Former students told him that they still had the wood projects they made in his class. He also farmed, worked for a moving company, and worked for the maintenance department in the Haysville school system.

In 1963 he married Ardith Greer, and they were married 63 years.  His favorite activity was traveling, especially with his family, to 49 states and to Europe three times. He was an avid reader and pun lover, master woodcarver, woodworker, hunter, fisherman, and leather worker.  He was an active member of the Haysville United Methodist Church.

Most of all, Dorman loved being a family man and gladly helped his family any way he could. He was so proud of all of them.

Memorial Service, 11am, Friday, December 19, at Haysville United Methodist Church.

Dorman was preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Anne Simmons; brother, Galen Simmons; daughter-in-law, Aubrey (Kingsley) Simmons. He is survived by his wife, Ardith Simmons; sons, Shawn (Tanya) Simmons of Iowa City, IA, Scott Simmons of Overland Park, Brady (Deborah) Simmons of Wichita; siblings, Herbert (Diane) Simmons of Bowling Green, KY, Mary Hunnicutt of St. Charles, MO; grandchildren, Autumn, Rebekah, John and Andrew.

In lieu of flowers, Memorial: Haysville United Methodist Church, memo: youth fund, 601 E. Grand Ave, Haysville, KS 67060.