Richard (Dick) Simmons' Obituary
At age 96, another member of the Greatest Generation has reached his end on Earth. Richard was born in Alberta, Canada to Louis and Matilda Simmons and moved to the U.S. at a young age. When duty called he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and served in North Africa, Italy, and Germany. He kept the planes flying.
Richard was a self-made man who believed in earning what he received. In the mid 1950's, he and brother in-law Walter Gregorich opened up the very successful Lakewood Heating and Sheetmetal business. Richard was a sheet metal craftsman: You name it and Richard could build it.
He enjoyed camping, fishing, gardening, traveling, family, helping others, and sharing the product of his gift for making wonderful pies.
Richard was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, sisters Virginia Rollins and Mabel Rollins, brothers Larry and Warren, and stepdaughter Kathy Dickinson. He is survived by sister Shirley Fay Tomaszewski of Olympia, brother Joseph (Nancy) of Spanaway, stepsons Richard Raymond of Roy and Keith West (Dawna) of Aberdeen, several grandchildren and great grandchildren, along with nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, please consider: Salvation Army, Tacoma; Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle; Heart Fund of the American Heart Association, Dallas.
A Celebration of Life will be held on December 11, 2018 at 1pm in the Aspen Chapel at Mountain View Funeral Home with a reception to follow.
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