Obituaries

Hugh Columbus Simmons was born on December 9, 1928, in Wimauma, FL and departed this realm on November 17, 2024, surrounded by family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Annie, siblings, Melba, Sam, Bill, Marilyn and Gayle, granddaughter Christa and devoted wife, Anne. His survivors are sons, Kevin (Susan) and Keith, grandchildren Drew, Julie, Haley and Kelli and great grandchildren, Annabelle, Jaxon, Landon, Kadence, Jameson, Reese and Reagan as well as numerous loved nephews and nieces.

Hugh received a BA in History from the University of Tampa becoming the first in his family to graduate college. Later, he received a Masters in Education from North Texas State College, now the University of North Texas. During the Korean War, he served in the U.S. Air Force rising to the rank of Captain. It was during his time at Shepherd AFB in Wichita Falls that he met his wife Anne, who was an undergraduate at Texas State College for Women, now Texas Woman’s University. They married in Denton at the Little Chapel in the Woods on September 3, 1954.

Beyond his love and dedication to family, he had three passions, farming, investing and education. His grandkids can tell stories of helping with the peach orchard and having to show up once a year for their “Money Meeting with Papa” where he would help them establish investment portfolios having them choose stocks themselves and explain why each choice was a good investment. As for education, he and wife Anne ensured their sons had the financial resources necessary to pursue their ambitions. This generosity extended to their daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren leaving a legacy which will resonate for generations. That commitment to education went beyond family as there is now an endowment at Texas Woman’s University for graduate students in kinesiology funded by Hugh and Anne Simmons.

Like his wife, Hugh donated his body to the Medical School at UT Southwestern. He joined Anne at the DFW National Cemetery in Dallas on September 12, 2025.