Frank Simmons ~ Class of 1961
Departed ~ 10/11/2019
Franklin Bradley Simmons III, age 75, of San Antonio, Texas passed away on Friday October 11, 2019. Frank was born December 15, 1943 in Arlington, TX. His father, Colonel Franklin B. Simmons Jr., was overseas on this cold wintry night, and his mother, Willie Mae Simmons, delivered her wonderful first born son. Being a member of a military family, they traveled the world to many places, including Saudi Arabia, Panama Canal Zone, Monterrey, CA, Spokane, WA, and Bangkok, Thailand, where Frank graduated from High School. These vast experiences shaped who he became and his appreciation of different cultures, foods and nature.
Frank received his BS and his MS from Illinois State University. His thesis was on a study of the parasites known as flukes. He definitely had an interest in all things gross! He taught high school science at Jefferson High School in San Antonio for 27 years, where he worked with many brilliant colleagues and influenced many young lives. He retired from teaching in 1997, and then worked at Wal-Mart overnight for nearly 15 years. Frank loved his 2:00 am lunch hour where he would play cards with his friends.
He met his wife, Barbara, in June of 1972 on a blind date through a mutual friend. They shared many things in common and he knew on their first date that he would marry her. He even told his mother that. They married after only a few months on October 7, 1972. Frank and Barbara enjoyed playing bridge, dining out, traveling, going on cruises, spending time with family and friends, and so much else together. In addition, Frank and Barb loved to go to movies, rarely missing a good (or not so good) movie. Early in their marriage, they went downtown to the Majestic, Texas, and Empire Theaters to see karate flicks – not Barb’s favorite, but … Over the last many years, they have seen many many movies and even have/had the Regal Unlimited Passes.
Frank was very excited to become a father. He even lost a bet as to who would reveal their pregnancy first! In August 1984, Franklin Bradley Simmons IV was born, and in March 1987 Therese (Teri) Dale Simmons arrived. He loved his children with all he had and was a wise and intelligent man, eager to share his knowledge and experiences with his kids. He taught them about the periodic table in elementary school and dissected different creatures for their school classrooms.
In 2010, Frank’s first grandson, Braeden, was born. He was very eager to become a grandfather; so this was very special. Frank wanted to be referred to as “Grumpy” by his grandchildren, and indeed he was! He was also blessed to have four more beautiful grandchildren – Mason, Willow, Charlie and Benji. Grumpy always loved to give his grandkids a Matchbox car with each visit. They each have quite the collection! Frank loved his Labradoodle grand-dogs as well – Ivy, Neo, Spruce, Acacia, and Ash. These high energy, 40 – 50 pound dogs always ambushed him when he would arrive for a visit and then would enjoy a cuddle in his lap.
Frank was an avid reader who would often have multiple books open at once, habitually misplacing them because he had to take at least one everywhere he went. Most books would not fit in his fanny pack! Before he had children, he bred Guinea Pigs. Frank even gave Barbara three “sexy” guinea pigs for her first birthday they spent together. He was a judge at Guinea pig shows and traveled the country, even into Canada to judge shows. He enjoyed playing computer games and often felt he was born into the wrong era, too late to become an expert at the ins and outs of computers. He loved playing World of Warcraft online with a special group of friends and family every Tuesday. He spent many hours playing Civilization and other strategy games as well. This helped to keep his mind sharp. Frank also really liked playing cards, and winning! His opponents would relish in beating him if they were so able. Oh Hell!, bridge, hearts and spades were among his favorites. He also enjoyed fishing, learning and researching, listening to talk radio (and talking or yelling back), and rock hunting and polishing, among other things.
Frank was a good man. He was kind, generous, and honest and a “weird” character. He was an independent thinker. Frank was very sarcastic and had a great sense of humor, even if a dry one. He had a sense of justice and was very logical, and instilled these characteristics in his children. He was definitely unique!! Frank, Honey-Honey, Dad, Grumpy, Mr. Simmons will be seriously missed by all who love him. His 75 years on earth were full of life and love, as well as many interesting and exciting experiences. Frank is survived by his wife of 47 years, Barbara Hudson Simmons, son Franklin Bradley Simmons IV and wife Kristen, daughter Therese (Teri) Dale Pellerin and husband Kevin, grandson Braeden, grandson Mason, granddaughter Willow, granddaughter Charlie, grandson Benji; brother Jonathan H. Simmons and wife Janet, nephew Jonathan J. Simmons; Rudy Xavier, long-time brother-friend whom he met in Thailand; numerous cousins and friends. He was also predeceased by his brother James D. Simmons.
A visitation for Frank will be held Friday, October 18, 2019 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Colonial Funeral Home, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148. A Funeral Service will occur Friday, October 18, 2019 at 12:00 PM, 625 Kitty Hawk Road, Universal City, TX 78148. There will be a Life Celebration at Colonial Funeral Home immediately following the Funeral Service.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.colonialuniversal.com for the Simmons family.
In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests Tribute Donations in Frank’s memory be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. A link to their website is immediately below. You may also donate by calling 1-800-708-7644.
Please send pictures (old and new), anecdotes, articles, stories and tributes to isbeings at gmail.com
Heidi Gage ~ Class of 1984
