Phil R. Simmons

WEATHERFORD -- Phil R. Simmons Sr., died peacefully Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2010, surrounded by his family at a Weatherford hospital. Funeral: 10 a.m. Thursday at White's Chapel of Memories, 130 Houston Avenue, Weatherford. Phil's grandson, Rev. Dr. Russell H. Freeman will officiate. Burial: Bethesda Cemetery. Memorials: The Simmons family suggests memorials in Phil's honor be made to Bethesda United Methodist Church and the Boy Scouts of America. Phil, or "Pop" as he was known by his family, was born Dec. 13, 1914, at home on the family farm in Bethesda, near where he will be buried. He was the last remaining child of 11 children born to Viola Conatser and Duff Green Simmons. Phil graduated from Weatherford College and earned his bachelor of science degree from Texas Wesleyan and a masters degree from Hardin Simmons. He married Georgianne Culwell on Jan. 13, 1940, and they recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at a reception with family and friends. He enjoyed a 37 year career in education, with the last 30 spent in Rochester, where he excelled as a coach, teacher and school superintendent retiring and returning to Weatherford in 1975. Phil's dedication inspired the educators who followed in his footsteps lending testimony to his positive influence. The family is proud of his loving service to his family, church, school and community. Phil and his wife, Georgianne, were active in the Parker County Retired Teachers Association, Weatherford College Exes, and Couts United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Pairs and Spares Sunday School class which he also taught. In Phil's retirement years, one of the accomplishments for which he was most proud was his involvement with the Boy Scouts of America including the construction of the Scout Hut at Couts United Methodist Church. Phil had many things which he loved: his family, teaching his grandchildren how to ride a horse or drive the farm truck, gardening, farming, feeding his cows, riding his tractor, favorite animals Chief and Prince, building a log cabin finished just in time for his 80th birthday, Thanksgiving traditions, cheering for the Cowboys, sharing his farm garden with neighbors and helping troubled youth. Phil was preceded in death by his infant daughter, Martha Nell Simmons; parents, Viola and Duff Green Simmons; brothers, D.G. Simmons Jr., Jack Simmons, Harold Simmons and George Simmons; and sisters, Loren Simmons Bowen, Mary Simmons Stephens and Audeen Simmons Austin; and three siblings who died as children. Survivors: His beloved wife, Georgianne Simmons; his three children, Becky Freeman and her husband, Larry, of Kerrville, Phil R. Simmons Jr. and his wife, Joyce, of Weatherford, and Beth Baker and her husband, Ed, of Albuquerque; his nine grandchildren, Libby Freeman Lunsford, Rusty Freeman, Shelley Simmons Allen, Russell Simmons, Kate Simmons Luffy, Angela Casey, Michael Calhoun, Brian Calhoun and Matt Calhoun; and 17 great-grandchildren.White's Funeral Home Weatherford, 817-596-4811