James Thomas "J.T." Simmons (Lebanon)'s Obituary
James Thomas Simmons, son of Elmer and Lois Pearce Simmons, was born June 17, 1933, near Grovespring, Missouri. He departed this life Saturday, May 18, 2019, in Missouri Veterans Home, in St. James, Missouri, at the age of eighty-five years, eleven months, and one day.
On September 5, 1953, he was united in marriage to Algeria Sally Claxton, and to this union three daughters and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Claude and Newell Simmons; and two sisters, Ruby Nelson, and Chlorine Simmons.
James is survived by his loving wife of sixty-five years, Sally, of the home; three daughters, Debra Vaughn Jones, and her husband, Dale, of Ozark, Missouri, Mary Jordan, and her husband, Wallace, of Marshfield, Missouri, and Susan Starnes, and her husband, Troy, of Lebanon, Missouri; a son, James Simmons, and his wife, Tammy, of Lebanon, Missouri; a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren; a brother, Clyde Simmons, and his wife, Melba, of Lebanon, Missouri; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in the Grovespring community, and then joined the military as a young man. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army and was stationed in Korea and Okinawa. Once he received his honorable discharge, he returned to the Lebanon area and he and Sally purchased a farm and established Sunny Knoll Poultry Farm which they operated for a number of years. Later, they made their home on the Lake of the Ozarks for twenty years before returning to Lebanon.
James had attended Gardner Freewill Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.
He liked working on the farm and also did carpentry work. He enjoyed being on the Lake and liked spending time with his family. He loved his family dearly and especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
James was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them during his eighty-five years.
Memorial to O'Dell Cemetery or Gardner FW Baptist Church
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