John H. Simmons

John H. Simmons, 63, a resident of Bradley County, passed away Monday, July 27, 2009 at his home. John was preceded in death by his mother and father, Rachel Huffine Simmons and Hugh Lee Simmons of Bradley County. He was also preceded in death by his grandparents, Frank and Emma Baldwin Simmons of Bradley County and Ben and Rose Byrd Huffine of Chattanooga. He is survived by wife of 32 years, Sharon Simmons; two children, Penny Farmer (Steve) of Knoxville and Grant Pirkle (Danielle) of Charleston; four grandchildren: Skylar and Darby Pirkle of Charleston, Jenifer and Courtney Farmer of Knoxville; brother, David Lee Simmons (Charlene) of Leawood, Kansas; sister, Mary Ann Radford (Thurmon) of Mt. Desert, Maine; aunts, Ruby Simmons and Ruth Simmons Moore (John B) and Mildred Johnson (Jim), mother-in-law, Opal Miller; sisters-in-law, Jeanette Brown (Jackie) and Martha Moses (Eddy) all of Bradley County as well as his uncle, James Huffine (Ruth) of Gallatin and several cousins, nieces and nephews. John grew up in Cleveland and attended Arnold Elementary and Arnold Junior High School. He graduated from Bradley High School, Class of 1964 and was elected Best Dressed by his classmates. He attended Tennessee Wesleyan College from 1964-1966 and joined the US Navy in 1966 serving until 1970. John served as a corpsman at Bethesda Naval Hospital and served in Vietnam as a corpsman with the 1st Marine Division. John was involved in many combat situations in Vietnam which resulted in a profound impact upon him for the rest of his life. John traveled as a sales representative for Hardwick Clothes of Cleveland from 1970 until 2001. He was an eleven year member of the Hardwick Presidents Club for the top Hardwick Salesmen and was selected Salesman of the Year several times during his career. He retired from Hardwick Clothes in 2001 due to his disability. John was very active in Veterans Affairs both locally and at the State and National level. In 2008, he was named Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Veteran of the Year for the state of Tennessee. He served as service officer for the American Legion Post 81. He has helped countless veterans get their claims approved. John would tell you that helping Veterans was his purpose and kept him going. John did this in spite of being classified as 100 disabled himself and often in pain. He was also active in the local VFW Post #2598 and local Vietnam Veterans Association. He was a very active member of the Tennessee state Veterans' Homes Board; being appointed by Governor Phil Bredeson. He was to take on the Chairman's position later this week. John was deeply committed and involved in getting a state VA Nursing Home in Bradley County. He has been instrumental in getting at $3 million dollar anonymous donation and pushing through the Tennessee House Joint Resolution 807 supporting a nursing home here in Bradley County. John has been very active in "behind the scenes" lobbying in Nashville supporting legislation beneficial to Veterans. John served on the Cleveland-Bradley Communications Board which oversees operation of the 911 Center. He was a regular Monday-Saturday attendee at the Liar's Table at the Old Fort Restaurant on 25th Street. He was outspoken at the table about his political beliefs, while at the same time maintaining close friendships and respect. Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, July 30, 2009 at Candies Creek Baptist Church with the Reverend Reed Wright officiating. Interment will follow at the Candies Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with military honors. John Haile, Steve Stewart, Joe Davis, Davis Morelock, Don Samuels and Jeff Morelock will serve as pallbearers. A white dove release ceremony will conclude the service.