Name: Visitation for James Simmons
Start: 2016-08-08T23:00:00.000Z
End: 2016-08-09T02:00:00.000Z
Location: Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge

December 23, 1934 - August 1, 2016
James Walter (Walt) Simmons, Jr., 81, of San Antonio, Texas, died on Monday, August 1, 2016 at Life Care Hospital in San Antonio, Texas, following a brief illness.

He was born December 23, 1934 in Byrum, Mississippi, the son of James Walter and Lena May Simmons, Sr. From a young age he had a passion for medicine and wanted to become a physician. He graduated from Millsaps College in 1954 with a Bachelor of Science degree and obtained his doctorate of medicine at the University of Mississippi Medical School in 1962. He then spent one year at Brooke General Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, TX and another year at Martin Army Hospital, Fort Benning, GA, completing his pre-specialty surgical training. He completed his orthopedic surgery residency at Brooke General Hospital in 1967.

He decided to specialize in spine surgery early in his medical career and became a pioneering force in the treatment, education and research of diseases of the spine. He is the author of over 100 textbook chapters and journal papers on spine disorders and has been an invited guest lecturer and instructor at spine disorder seminars throughout the world. He is a founding member of The Challenge of the Lumbar Spine, North American Spine Society, American Board of Spine Surgery, American College of Spine Surgery, Bone Bank Foundation, Texas Health Care Council, and Texas Spine Society. He has also been actively involved in many other medical and civic organizations.
He had a distinguished career in the U.S. military, enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1954 and retiring from the U.S. Army Reserve Medical Corps as a Colonel in 2000.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Billye Katherine Simmons, and his sister Mary Staring. He is survived by his children; son James W. Simmons, III, wife Jane Marie; daughter Katheryn Lynn Baker, husband Karl; grandchildren Catherine Johnson, husband Brad; Brandi Baker; Rachel Simmons; Krista McCulley, husband Travis; Virginia Simmons; Heather Simmons; Sarah Simmons; and Andrew Simmons; and his nephew Jimmy Staring, wife Leslie and daughter Jo-Lie.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Orthopedic Research and Education Foundation, 9400 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 215, Rosemont, IL 60018-4976, www.oref.org/donate.

The family will receive friends from 6:00pm to 9:00pm Monday, August 8, 2016 at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North, 3401 Cherry Ridge San Antonio, TX 78239. The funeral service will be held at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North Tuesday, August 9, 2016 at 9:00am with graveside interment to follow at Mission Burial Park North, 20900 IH 10 West, San Antonio, TX 78257, Pastor Kurt Hudspeth officiating.

Arrangements by Mission Park Funeral Chapels & Cemeteries. Obituary and memorial guest-book available online at www.missionparks.com. Arrangements with:

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Antonio Express-News on Aug. 6, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for James Simmons

Sponsored by Mission Park Funeral Chapels Cherry Ridge.

6 Entries

December 7, 2017

Oh my, I just found this. Dr. Simmons was the only one who believed in me. He fought for me against the DOL-OWCP. He was an ethical man and medicine practitioner. I will always be eternally grateful to Dr. Simmons for believing in me, repairing my fractured cervical and for fighting for my rehabilitation. May you rest in eternal peace,

Lizzette Scinski

Rick Ricketson

January 1, 2017

The last time Walt and I spoke on the phone was two years ago. Walt was my spine surgery fellowship director from 1992-1993. Together we published two articles that year, maintained a very busy surgery schedule, hosted a cross-specialty weekly conference on spine disorders, among many other activities. He made it a point to introduce his spine fellow to numerous international experts in spine pathology and surgery, emphasizing biology rather than technology. His CV was voluminous. You would never know it. I never heard Walt raise his voice or be angry. My most remembered quote to me was, "The only thing non-specific about non-specific back pain is the non-specific clinician." To Walt, diagnostics were the primary focus because how could you treat something if you don't understand the disease? Your wisdom carries on to this day in my research. RIP Walt. We will always be eternally grateful.

Ken Patterson

August 8, 2016

I wan honored to have known Dr. Walt Simmons. He was a giant man in the medical community of San Antonio and beyond. He always impressed me with his generosity. During his career he pioneered new approaches and technology to help his patients. He also was willing to share his knowledge and ingenuity with his colleagues.

He made a lasting impression for good on me. I am certain he also touched the lives of many others, forever making the world better for his friends, his patients and all those touched by the impact of his life.

He will be missed. Our community needs more men like Walt Simmons.

I pray for all those, especially his family and close friends, who will miss him in the days ahead. Fortunately, the lessons he taught will continue to fill the void left in our hearts.

Respectfully,

Ken Patterson

Doris (Dee Dee) Millican

August 7, 2016

Dr Simmons was a very special friend to my late husband, Willie Millican. They were very good friends and Willie spent many hours with him. He was an outstanding surgeon and admired by many. gentleman.

Dee Dee Millican

Josie Knight

August 7, 2016

Love and prayers to Walt, Janie and Lynn! I will miss your dad terribly!

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