Obituary of Melvin Don Simmons

Services for Melvin D. 'Mel' Simmons,68, Arp, are scheduled for 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, January 3, in the Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home chapel, Overton, with Reverend Doctor Ron Klingsick officiating. Burial will follow in Mason Cemetery, Arp. Mr. Simmons died Thursday, December 29, 2011 at his residence. He was born February 19,1943 in Sayre, Oklahoma to the late Bud Watson and Naomi Elaine Nunn Simmons. He is a veteran of the US Army and discharged as a 1st Lieutenant and a he was a member of the Sam Peacock Masonic Lodge #1335, Dallas, where he was active with the Shrine Clowns. He graduated and received his business degree from Texas A&M University where he was a member of the Texas A&M football team. He was a branch manager for Ryder Trucking Company for 25 years in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Lubbock, Dallas and Tyler. He moved to Arp in 1997 and was a member of the Arp Emmanuel Baptist Church. Besides his parents, Mr. Simmons was also preceded in death by his brother, Buddy B. Simmons. Survivors include five children and three sons-in-law, Cindy and Greg Wilkins, Florissant, Colorado, Terry and Albert Rowell, Lubbock, Steve Simmons, Carrolton, Krystal and Kory Cochran, Houston, and Melvin Don Simmons, Jr., Las Vegas, Nevada; and three grandchildren, Amber Ray, Eric Rowell, and Melody Rowell.  Pallbearers will be  Don Simmons, Albert Rowell, Kory Cochran, Steve Simmons, John Stapleton, John Frank Lanham and Ted Echard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm, Monday, January 2. Memorials may be made to the Shriners Hospitals for Children, Office of Development 2900 Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.