Obituary for David Simmons

David Simmons

December 25, 1934 – December 20, 2020

David Earl Simmons, a lifelong resident of Ponca City, left this life on December 20, 2020 at age 85. A Celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Viewing will be from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday, December 29, 2020. Face masks are required. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory.

David was born on December 25, 1934, in Braman, OK, to Clarence and Nina (Green) Simmons. He grew up in Ponca City and graduated from Ponca City Senior High School. He attended Oklahoma A & M (Oklahoma State University) on a wrestling scholarship and was a member of A & M’S 1955 national championship team. David was in the ROTC program and received a degree in Geology. David married the former Leora Yeaman, his wife of 63 years, in 1955.

Following graduation, David worked for Phillips Petroleum before being called to active military service in the United States Air Force in 1956. He attended Texas A & M College to study meteorology and served as a meteorologist for the USAF in Texas, Arizona, and Alaska. David was honorably discharged at the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.

David and his family moved back to Ponca City in 1962 where he purchased his father’s business, Simmons Lumber Company. He owned and operated the business successfully for twenty years until it was destroyed by fire in 1981. He then shared his considerable knowledge of the building materials business in roles with Boise Cascade, Hughes Lumber, and Lowe’s until 1991, when he embarked on his second career as a realtor with Coldwell Banker. He retired from the real estate business in 2006.

David was active in the community as a member of AMBUCS, Lions Club International and The Tipper’s Club. He served as a Deacon at the First Baptist Church for many years. David was also an original board member and founder of the McCord Senior Center.

David is survived by: his son, Scott Simmons, and his wife, Brenda, of Denver, CO; daughter, Kelli Love and her husband, Mark, of Ponca City; grandchildren, Kyle Enevoldsen and his wife, Leila, of Olathe, KS, Kami Stroope and her husband, Griffin, of Dallas, TX, Hannah Habeeb and her husband, Will, of Los Angeles, CA, Mason Simmons, of Denver, CO, and great-grandchildren, Sullivan Stroope, Rosie Stroope, JoJo Stroope and Aaron Enevoldsen.

David was well-known and beloved in the community. Following his passing, many people have reached out to the family expressing how much they cared for David, and with stories of the many ways he has touched their lives. The family would like to thank everyone who has reached out for their kind words and support.

David was preceded in death by his wife, parents, brother, Charles Simmons, and son-in-law Kent Enevoldsen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of North Central Oklahoma at hospiceofnorthcentraloklahoma.org or the Parkinson’s Foundation at parkinson.org.

Source: Trout Funeral Home