James Lewis Simmons, Jr.

James Lewis Simmons Jr., known affectionately as Jimmy to all who knew him, embarked on his final late-night drive into the great beyond on December 21, 2024. Born with a twinkle in his eye on a crisp winter day in 1957 at St Joseph's Hospital in Parkersburg, WV, Jimmy's life was a tapestry woven with the threads of humor, practicality, and a touch of creative genius. 

Jimmy's early departure from this world occurred peacefully at his home in Parkersburg, WV, the town that was both the beginning and end chapters of his colorful life story. He was preceded in death by his parents, Inez and James Simmons Sr., his brother Joseph Simmons, and his son Randall Simmons. Their reunion, no doubt, is filled with laughter and the strumming of bluegrass tunes.

He leaves behind a loving troupe that includes his wife, Virginia Simmons, whose patience and love could be considered saintly, especially during those late-night drives that Jimmy was so fond of. His daughter Michele Simmons, who inherited her dad's creative spark, along with her husband Roy Beard, and their son Ryland Beard, who will surely carry on the legacy of his grandpa's handy skills. His son, James "JR" Edgell, who learned from the best how to tell a story that could light up any room. Jimmy's sister Alice Hardbarger and brother Chris Keel are also left to cherish his memory, undoubtedly reminiscing about the good old days when Jimmy was the life and soul of family gatherings. 

Jimmy's education culminated with his GED, a testament to his belief that intelligence isn't solely found in textbooks but also in the wit and wisdom of everyday life. He worked in the oil fields in his early years and JP Services for many more years, where his colleagues knew him as the man who could make a long day feel short with his endless jokes and handyman tips.

When Jimmy wasn't imparting laughter or wisdom at work, he could be found indulging in his eclectic array of interests. A lover of bluegrass music, Jimmy's foot-tapping could rival any metronome. His passion for word searches was only matched by his love for western TV shows—where he'd often be caught muttering, "I could've outdrawn them all!" Jimmy also loved riding his bike, not just for the thrill of the wind in his hair but also for the chance to spot the next addition to his coin and knife collections. 

Jimmy's creativity knew no bounds, whether he was working on his house, tending to the yard, or just figuring out how to fit one more coin into his already overflowing collection. His intelligence shone through in the way he could fix just about anything, and his hands were as skilled with a bingo dabber as they were with a hammer. Jimmy was the embodiment of a handy, creative, and intelligent man. His ability to find a solution to any problem was only outdone by his ability to find humor in any situation. He was the kind of guy who could turn a trip to the hardware store into an adventure and a simple game of bingo into a night of uproarious fun. 

As we say goodbye to Jimmy, we know that his legacy will live on in every chuckle shared, every tune hummed, and every late-night story told. While the lights may have dimmed here on earth with his passing, the stars are surely shining a bit brighter as they welcome a new, jovial soul to the heavens.

So here's to Jimmy—may he ride his celestial bike to his heart's content, strum the strings of the universe with his bluegrass band, and find the grandest word search in the sky. And if there's bingo in the afterlife, you can bet your bottom dollar that Jimmy's already called dibs on the best seat in the house.