Bobby Ray Simmons

Bobby Ray Simmons was born October 4, 1931 in Guthrie, OK, the son of the late Jeff Lloyd and Blonnie (Moore) Simmons. He was the oldest of 8 siblings. He lived in Missouri until his family moved to Bell Gardens, CA in 1947. He worked at a Mobil gas station as an attendant after school and weekends. In 1950, he delivered ice before joining the National Guard (40th Military Police). The government mobilized him into the Army. He left the Army to go back to Wyatt, MO to work on a family farm. In August of 1950, he joined the Navy and served in the Korean War. He married Vallie D. Komrosky, April 19, 1957 in Bell Gardens. They made their home in California until 1962. They lived in Nevada and Montana until moving to St. Francis, MN in 1968. He was a certified fireman and licensed paramedic and was employed at Elk River Ford in Elk River, MN as a mechanic until their move to Phoenix, AZ in 1978. They moved to Oriska, ND in 1990. He was employed by the Oriska School District. When he retired, he did scrap clean up and salvage. After losing the love of his life for 39 years on February 17, 1996, he spent winters in Drumright, OK and Phoenix, AZ. He loved to fish, go to the horse races, eat out, and to modulate on his CB. Bobby is survived by his four sons, Ronald (Beverly) of Payson, AZ, Richard and Harry both of Oriska, and Kenneth of Valley City, ND; a daughter, Jacqueline (Adrian) Steinbrecher of Payson; grandchildren, Troy (Angela), Jeremy (Tina), Matthew (Kimberly) Thrane all of Watertown, WI, Chad (Nicole) Thrane of Denver, CO, Joseph, Joshua, and Jacob Simmons all of Payson, Anthony Simmons of Great Falls, MT, Kayla Simmons and Kodi Stuart both of Omaha, NE; 5 great grandchildren; a brother, Stanley (Jo Ann) of Torrance, CA; sisters-in-law, Mary Simmons and Nancy Simmons both of Aberdeen, WA; several nieces and nephews; and a close friend, Donna Weese of Drumright, OK. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his grandparents, John and America (Sams) Simmons and James and Sarah Moore; brothers, Glenn Fay, James Harold, Carl Edward, Thurman Lee, and David Wayne; a sister (his twin); a son, Robert Daniel; and a daughter, Rebecca Louise.

Bobby Ray Simmons

October 4, 1931 - May 9, 2010