Ronald Joseph Simmons

On Saturday, July 18, 2020, Ronald (“Ron”) Joseph Simmons, loving husband and father of three children, went home to be with our Heavenly Father at the age of 76.  Ron was born on November 30, 1943 to Reuben and Catherine (Meger) Simmons.  He was the only son with four sisters (Pat, Carol, Suzie, and Judy) and raised in Le Sueur, MN.

Ron enlisted in the United States Air Force on June 8, 1961, which brought him to McGuire AFB in New Jersey where he met the love of his life Helen Marino. They married in May 1964. They raised three children while living in New Jersey, California, Mississippi, Germany, Louisiana, Guam, and Florida. He retired from the Air Force after nearly 24 years of service at the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He then pursued a second career as manager of the Medical Professional Buildings for St Anthony’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL.

Ron was a fun-loving personable man who never missed an opportunity to have a conversation with anyone nearby. He was always willing to help someone in need, particularly when it involved fixing or building something. He was the ultimate DIY guy who completed several remodel projects over his lifetime. He built a home in Highlands NC, completing most of the carpentry work himself, and then furnished it with furniture he built. He enjoyed traveling around the world and most recently RVing across the US. He was very active in retirement splitting time between Highlands, NC, Key West, FL and The Villages, FL. He loved volunteering at Mountain Findings and the Catholic Church in Highlands, riding his bike several miles a day, playing pickleball, bocce, and every card game there was and visiting family and friends.

Ron will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Helen; his children, Ron Jr. (Min), Robert (Dawn), and Nichole (Chris); his grandchildren Elizabeth (Clay), Christine (Caleb), David, Thomas, Andrew, and Lindsay; his sisters Carol (Mark), Sue, and Judy (Jerry); and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. Ron was predeceased by his father Reuben, his mother Catherine, and his sister Pat.