Donald “Dee” Simmons, 74, of Slaton, passed away on Friday, August 30, 2024.

Visitation will be 6-7:00 pm Thursday, September 5, 2024, at Englunds Chapel. Funeral Services will be 10:30 am Friday, September 6, 2024, at Englunds Chapel.  Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery in Slaton. Arrangements are by Englunds Funeral Service of Slaton.

Dee was born on January 20, 1950, in Pampa to Claude Marshall Simmons, Jr. and Viola Adeline Simmons. He married Terry Spratlen on January 20, 1976, in Lubbock. He owned and operated Simmons Bros. Meat Market for more than 20 years.

The toughest man we have ever known.  A jack of all trades. If anything ever scared him, he didn’t show it. The man with all the answers. Mr. Fix it, even if it wasn’t done properly.  The memory of an elephant, but with a few embellishments and exaggerations. Funny and witty.  He enjoyed the simple things in life, and he loved his family more than anything else. We all knew that if we needed help, advice, or knowledge, we could always call him, and he would have the answers.  

Frugal and lighthearted.  He lived his life to its fullest, fast cars, motorcycles, boats, airplanes, traveling, camping, barbecuing. He enjoyed tinkering with things, always had a project on his mind, and he took pride in and loved the things he had.

He fought through many, many struggles just to be here longer to take care of us, being selfless and ignoring his own pain, to be strong for everyone else.  A family man to the end.

We lost a real treasure, a lot of knowledge and wisdom, a lot of love and support, and a man with forgiveness and compassion in his heart. 

We miss you Pa Pa, and we didn’t want to let you go. You fought so hard to hang on, but we are SO grateful for every moment we had together. You can finally get your rest now.  We love you, Pa Pa and thank you for always being there for us!

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers, Larry Don Simmons, Bronell Daniel, Walter Simmons, and Tommy Simmons.

Dee is survived by his wife, Terry; his daughter, Sheila Simmons of Slaton; his sons, Christopher Simmons of Slaton, and Don Simmons and his wife, Emily of Roscoe; his sister, Kay Clements and her husband, Thomas of San Angelo; his brother, Rodney Simmons and his wife, Martha of Slaton; and four grandchildren.