Dr. Cecil Randall Simmons

San Benito, Texas - Cecil Randall Simmons, M.D. was born in Harlingen, Texas, on October 10, 1934, and died peacefully at his home in San Benito on October 20, 2025, at the age of 91.

Cecil was raised on a farm with seven brothers and sisters in the Rangerville area. A bright and determined student, he graduated with honors from Harlingen High School in 1953. He attended Texas A&I University on a scholarship, working his way through school at oil refineries along the coastal bend. Originally intending to become a dentist, his future father-in-law, Dr. Thomas LaMotte, encouraged him instead to pursue medicine. Cecil applied and was accepted to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School in Dallas.

After graduation, he completed his residency in Baltimore, Maryland, and fulfilled his Public Health Service commitment as an officer with the United States Public Health Service. His service included two years in Oklahoma, where he provided medical care to Native American communities.

In 1963, Cecil returned to the Rio Grande Valley, where he and Dr. Bill Ross founded San Benito Medical Associates, one of the first comprehensive group family medicine practices in Texas. Alongside fellow local physicians, he helped organize and build Harlingen Medical Center, serving many years as Chairman of the Board. After caring for three generations of patients, Cecil retired from medicine in 2014 at the age of 80. He will be remembered for his gentle and reassuring bedside manner in English or Spanish.

Cecil loved the outdoors and spent much of his time on his farm, where he raised cattle. He and his close friend, George Labar, traveled extensively, learning and teaching best practices in breeding French Charolais cattle, known for their strength, size, and cream-colored coats.

Deeply committed to education and opportunity, Cecil served three terms on the San Benito Consolidated School Board, including as President.

One of his proudest accomplishments was helping to organize and charter First National Bank of San Benito (now First Community Bank) in 1979, alongside a group of local business leaders. He served on its Board for over 45 years, many of those as Chairman and then named Director emeritus. Under his leadership, the Bank grew to nine banking centers across Cameron, Hidalgo, and Willacy Counties, with 130 employees and over $750 million in assets.

Cecil was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Pierce Simmons and Dora Van Burkleo Simmons; his brothers Sam Ed Simmons and L.P. Simmons; sisters Nanny V. Simmons, Genevieve James, Greta Laakso and Sandra Bellion; his first wife, Carolyn LaMotte Simmons; his second wife, Juana Lawson Simmons; and his beloved son, Thomas Randall Simmons.

He is survived by his devoted daughters Anita Simmons Boswell (Chris) and Sarah Simmons Hays; grandchildren Megan Boswell Hummel (Kyle), Thomas Boswell (Kate), Carrie Boswell, Ryan Hays, Cameron Hays, and Kathryn Hays; great-grandson Otto Hummel; sister, Connie Allen (Byron); numerous nieces and nephews; and brother- and sister-in-law Tommy and Shirley LaMotte.

Cecil loved all of his Simmons family and especially enjoyed working with his nephew Leonard Simmons with whom he partnered in business.

A funeral service will be held at St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Harlingen on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at 4 p.m., followed by a reception at First Community Bank on Business 77 in Harlingen.

Memorials may be made to Sunny Glen Children's Home, P.O. Box 1373, San Benito, Texas 78586 or the Boys and Girls Club of San Benito, P.O. Bos 443, San Benito, Texas 78586. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Valentina Aviles for her loving care and assistance to Cecil in his final years.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas 78586. www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com 956.361.9192