Jerry E. Simmons

Jerry E. Simmons, 90 of Louisville, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Sunday, January 12th, 2025.
Born in Walters, OK in 1934, his family moved to Kentucky when he was two years old, and eventually landed in Louisville, KY – which became Jerry's life-long home. At the young age of 18, he enlisted in the Army and fought in the Korean War. He obtained the rank of Sergeant, and when his tour of duty was over, he returned to Louisville and married his sweetheart, Joyce Mingus of Louisville, KY.
After a short stint at the Kentucky School for the Blind, he went to work at the General Electric Company in Louisville. His 35 years of service there enabled him to put three loving daughters through Catholic school education.
He loved the outdoors and tooling around the country. His family had the best upbringing – the daughters spent their entire young lives traveling to campgrounds and living the good life. But his Happy Place was at Rough River Lake. He was so proud of his lake-front property where he built a modest cabin so friends and family could go boating, fishing or just be together. He loved having his family all around him.
He was an avid Kentucky Derby fan and amassed quite a collection of Kentucky Derby glasses and memorabilia.
He was the world's best piddler, and could fix or do anything for anybody – especially his three daughters. When younger, he and his wife Joyce loved to go out dancing with good friends, and later in life, they both got to travel to wonderful places in the US and overseas.
He always had time for his wife and daughters. But his most amazing times were spent with his five grandchildren. He loved being a grandfather, and his heart was full to popping when he became a great-grandfather.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Martin Simmons and Reta Hart; his sisters, Wanda Mull and Mary V. Smith; and son-in-law, Roger Phillips.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Joyce Mingus Simmon; his daughters, Terri Phillips, Tracy Desmarais (John) and Tammy Simmons; grandchildren, Amanda (Michael West), Austin, Alayne (Chris Henly), Jack and Natalie; and one great-grandchild, Wells.
Visitation will be Thursday, January 16th from 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Highlands Funeral Home, 3331 Taylorsville Road. His funeral Mass will be held at Ascension Catholic Church, 4600 Lynnbrook Drive, on Friday at 10:00 am, with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the National Kidney Foundation.