James Allan Simmons
May 22, 1928 — January 23, 2015
Allan was born in 1928 in Miami, Florida to James Albert and Florence Ellen (Barnett) Simmons. He graduated from East Liberty High School, Ohio, in 1946, after which he left the family farm to attend Ohio State University where he joined ROTC. Soon after Allan was called to duty for the Korean war. In just two years, Allan completed his tour, received numerous commendations including for valor at Heartbreak Ridge, and became a Generals Aid escaping the front lines unharmed. Soon after, now in the Army Reserves in Southern California and teaching at Buffum Elementary, Allan met his wife to be, Helen Louise Dodd of Buffalo, New York. They married in 1957, and soon after bought their family home on Stevely Avenue in Long Beach where they lived, shared their lives, and raised two children.
While teaching, Allan completed his MS from Long Beach State College and received his PhD in Special Education from University of Southern California. He loved children and special education and worked tirelessly serving California's children for over 35 years becoming a widely known and highly respected consultant. Allan, affectionately known in his golden years as "Santa", enjoyed a wonderful, full life of cooking, reading, model trains, traveling, photography, dancing, wine, laughing, working, playing the stock market, and being around family and friends, old and new. He will be missed by all!
Allan is survived by a daughter, Julia Simmons and her husband Scott Todd of Bainbridge, Washington, and by a son, Albert Simmons with his wife Kathryn Hoffman and their son Jackson Simmons of Pleasant Hill, California, and by his brother George Roy Simmons of Dayton, Ohio, and his children Jeri, Mike, and Jodi. He was proceeded in death by his parents, Albert and "Flo", and by his wife of 57 years, Helen Simmons, in 2010. In our hearts forever, we love you Allan, rest in peace.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 pm, Saturday, April 18 at the Unitarian Universalist church at 5450 East Atherton Street, Long Beach, California, 90815. Pastor Mitra will be officiating. Food and beverages will be provided.
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