Herbert Donald Simmons, 84, went to be with the Lord on April 30, 2016.
He was born on September 7, 1931 in Covington, Kentucky. His hometown was Troy, Ohio.
He had been a resident of Pinellas Park, Florida since 2003, after living in Texas and North Carolina.
Don served in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954. He was honored with multiple service medals and accommodations. He served domestically and overseas in Korea. He specialized in Electronic-Radar equipment and technology.
In 1964 he found the love of his life and married Hilda “Sami” Silvestre. After Don retired from micro-graphic companies in 1991, he went into the arts and crafts business with his wife, Sami, and traveled throughout the state of Florida for different shows and events.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Herbert and Lola Simmons, his wife, Hilda “Sami” Simmons, a son, Dennis Powell, and a daughter, Juanita Powell.
He is survived by his loving family: a daughter, Sandra and her husband Don, of Florida; a son Wayne, and his wife, Patti of Hawaii, a son, Tom and his wife, Martha, of Texas; A daughter, Sabrena of North Carolina; a son, Don and his wife, Deborah of Florida, a son, Jack, of Florida, a sister, June of North Carolina, a brother, Bob and his wife, Gale, of Florida, 13 grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren.
Don was a very devoted Christian and enjoyed sharing his strong faith with family and friends. Don was an avid pilot and enjoyed the aviation industry. At the age of 84, Don was one of the most advanced “technical seniors” there was…. with his ability to master computers, tablets, and cell phones. It was verified that he performed 1600 text messages in just ONE month, which is more than most teenagers.
The memorial Service will be held at 4:30 PM on Wednesday, May 4, 2016 at Suncoast Cathedral Chapel, 2300 62nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33702 with Pastor Tim Suddreth officiating.
Don leaving us for his long awaited home with Jesus is his gain but certainly a loss to Suncoast and all his friends plus all the neighborhood of Mainlands Subdivision. Precious man of God, loved deeply and showed his love by his love language of bringing gifts and flowers and gadgets. Amazed at his physical ability to get around so well and his intellect in learning all new electronic items. Loved watching his praise and worship and do his little dance….. never boring with him around.
So glad I got to be part of his life for many years with he and Sami as associate pastor and then as an associate and friend and neighbor. A hero has gone home.