Gerald "Jerry" Edmond Simmons

Ava, Missouri

Gerald Edmond Simmons, 79 years, passed to Heaven on January 5, 2018 at Mercy Hospital, Springfield, MO with his wife, Liska by his side.


Jerry was born February 4, 1938 in Augusta, AR to Melzie Edmond and Edith Cordelia (Ford) Simmons. Jerry was 1956 graduate of Newport Arkansas High School where he played basketball and was a member of the glee club

Jerry was a U.S. Army Veteran and served in Korea and other locations.

He was a retired Accountant, most recently employed with Stewart Thompson Investments in Navasota, TX.

In March of 1966, Jerry and Dianne Boyer were united in marriage in San Antonio, TX and they were blessed with two sons, Frank and Jeff. Dianne preceded him in death.

On August 30, 2003 Jerry and Liska Miller Francis were united in marriage in Bryan, TX. In August of 2013, Jerry and Liska moved to property in southwest Douglas County where they built a home in the wooded hills, fulfilling a long held dream. Jerry drew the design plans and he and Liska enjoyed many hours of making their dream a reality.

Jerry was a member of the First Southern Baptist Church in Ava. He enjoyed landscaping and yard work. He was also a sports fan, particularly of the Houston Texans and Houston Rockets. Jerry was involved in men's softball leagues in Texas for several years.

He was also preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Davis Simmons, two sisters, Coletia Melvin and Eithel Mann and a niece, Susan Graves.

Jerry is survived by his wife, Liska of the home in Ava, two sons and their spouses, Frank & Amy Simmons, Polo, IL, and Jeff & Mary Simmons, Kingwood, TX, two step children, Hilary Davis and husband, Kenny, Nashville, TN, and Trent Francis, Montgomery, TX, four  grandchildren, Max, Mya, Logan, and Dallas, two sisters, Jessie Hancock, McCrory, AR, and Barbara Toole, Plant City, FL, many nieces, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Memorial services for Jerry will be Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. in the First Southern Baptist Church in Ava with Military Honors by the Troy Herd American Legion Post 112 and U.S. Army. A visitation will be Thursday, Jan. 11 ^th from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Clinkingbeard Chapel, Ava, MO. Burial of his cremains will be in the Augusta Memorial Cemetery in Augusta, AR  at a later date and time.  Officiating will be Pastor Rick Spacek. Memorials may be made to the First Southern Baptist Church, P.O. 360, Ava, MO or Mercy Hospice, Springfield.