Jesse Preston Simmons, II, 85, passed away peacefully Saturday, April 13, 2024, after a long illness. Jesse was born Dec. 20, 1938, in Celina, Texas, to Jesse Preston Simmons and Dora Bell (Ferguson) Simmons. Jesse was married to Lois Mae Ruggles July 20, 1957. They were married for 63 years. Together they had eight children.
While living in Oklahoma, Jesse worked in construction, was a deputy sheriff, and worked at Eastern State Hospital. After moving to Springfield, he started his own construction company which he ran for many years until he retired.
Jesse is preceded in death by his wife, Lois Simmons; his parents, Jesse and Dora Simmons; two brothers, H.L. Simmons and Danny Simmons; his sister, Mary “Sis” Johnson; and two brothers-in-law, Cloyd Gibson and Paul Johnson.
Jesse is survived by his 8 children, Linda Kirkland of Springfield, Teena (George) LeHotta of Pittsburgh, Missouri, Jesse (Pam) Simmons of Luther, Oklahoma, Sandi Kuder of Springfield, Rocky (Kim) Simmons of Springfield, Stoney (Deanna Moore) Simmons of Springfield, Jolee (Ron McCurdy) Stark of Springfield and Dora Davis of Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Jesse is also survived by two brothers, Tom (Celia) Simmons of Oswego, Kansas, and Lee (Karen) Simmons of Vinita, Oklahoma; three sisters, Maxine (Fred) Madl of Ketchum, Oklahoma, Linda Gibson of Oswego, Kansas, and Paula (Tom) Carr of Miami, Oklahoma; and sister-in-law, Janice Simmons of Afton, Oklahoma; 31 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Graveside services will be held at Bluejacket Cemetery in Bluejacket, Oklahoma, at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27, 2024.
His care has been entrusted to Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. DeGraffenreid-Wood Crematory.