James Harrold Simmons

James Harrold Simmons passed away peacefully in his own home on the evening of February 8, 2024, surrounded by family. He went to be with the Lord almost three weeks to the day after celebrating his 89th birthday, with his three sons, and one of his grandsons.

James or Harrold as he was known to family and friends was born January 19, 1935, in Rome/Lindale, Georgia to James Hershal and Ollie Simmons. He was the oldest son and second child of 9 children, enjoying the company of seven sisters and one little brother.

He is survived by his three sons James Keith and his wife Mary, Kirk Harrold and Kent Olmstead, four grandchildren Aubree Lynn Huggins and her husband David, Sarah Elizibeth Griggs, Keegan James Simmons and Hannah Joy Simmons, and by five great-grandchildren Scott Quin, Kaylah Marie Huggins, Logan Anthony Huggins, Evangaline Loralye Griggs, Cayden Bennett James Griggs and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is survived by four of his seven sisters Virgie Simmons, Barbara Grilley and her husband Ray, Nola Coker, Joyce Stetler and her husband Mark and cousin Wanda Patterson.

He was proceeded in death by his wife Betty Joy, his parents, his aunt Della Myers and three of his sisters Julia Lassiter, Jewell McCoy and Eleanor Jackson.

Although he was born in Georgia the family home was in Pikeville, Tennessee, where he live until he was 11 years old. After World War II the family moved to Modesto California. It was there he spent his teen years ultimately graduating from Modesto High School. Not long after graduating high school he enlisted in the US Air Force, where he achieved the rank Airman First Class, before being discharged in 1962, after a period of reserve duty.

In 1960 he married the one and only love of his life Betty Joy Olmstead, at the church of Christ in Santa Monica, California, where they had met and attended. They were married for 34 years until Betty passed away in 1994.

He worked as a quality control inspector on the Apollo Space Program until 1970, when he left the program. To this day, his Acceptance Stamp appears on various parts of the Lunar Rover Vehicle, left on the moon during the Space Race. In the early 1970s he owned and operated a successful woodworking business called James H. Simmons Woodcraft. In the latter 1970s he returned to aerospace and finished his career working on various projects like F-14, F-16 and the C-17 Transport.

During his retirement he enjoyed working in his small woodshop in the garage and fixing things around the house. He always enjoyed turning vases and bowls on the lathe.

When he became a great-grandfather and it was confusing to call him great, he developed a nickname for himself; GOMS (Great Old Man Simmons). A name he was known by, by most of his grand-children and great-grandchildren until he passed.

Sleep well GOMS.