John C. Simmons

John C. Simmons, 60, of Dayton, died Tuesday, January 17, 2012, at home surrounded by family and friends. A celebration of life will be held 2:00 p.m., Saturday, January 21, 2012, at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Liberty. Visitation will be held from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, at the church parish hall. Family will receive friends after the service at John and Susan’s home, for a dove release ceremony at 5 p.m. Services are under the direction of Pace-Stancil Funeral Home in Dayton. John was born January 25, 1951 in Livingston, to parents; M. J. and Mary Beth Cox Simmons, and has resided in Dayton throughout his life. He was a graduate of the Dayton High School class of 1969, received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Lamar University in 1973, and was a State Tax Consultant and partner for Gamble-Simmons LP for 34 years. He also served in many community service positions including; Dayton Citizen of the Year 2009, former Board Member for the Dayton City Council, Senior Member of the Dayton Volunteer Fire Department with 27 years of service including 19 years as Treasurer, City of Dayton Quality of Life Budget and Street committees and Chairman of the “Memorial Mile Project”, member and former vestry person for St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, former Chairman in 2002, Director, and member of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, member of the Liberty-Dayton Chamber of Commerce, and past member for the Dayton Noon Lions Club. He also enjoyed his cattle, traveling, gardening, reading, playing dominoes, movies, and especially spending time with his family and friends. John will be remembered as a devoted son, dedicated and loving husband, proud father and grandfather. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his mother: Mary Beth Cox Simmons, father-in-law: John Loy Arnold, and brother-in-law: John Andrew Arnold. He is survived by his wife of 17 years: Susan Arnold Simmons of Dayton, daughter: Lindsay Lee of Humble, sons: Adam Saffel and wife Aline of Hillsboro, OR, Nicholas Saffel and wife Marina of Atlanta, GA, and Phillip Saffel and wife Amanda of Lubbock, father: M. J. Simmons of Dayton, sisters: Rosemary Brothers and husband W. T. of Dayton and Margaret Simmons of Dayton, mother-in-law: Jeanne Arnold of Clearwater, FL, grandchildren: Regan, Natalie, Eli, and Olivia Saffel, nephew: M. J. Brothers, nieces: Katherine and Anna Brothers, many relatives, and friends. In lieu of floral remembrances, the family requests that memorials be made to the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Columbarium Fund at P.O. Box 10357; 2041 Trinity Ave., Liberty, Texas 77575, in John’s name.