Harold Brown Simmons
Harold Brown Simmons, 88, of Richwood, passed from this life peacefully May 8th, 2014 at the St. Ann’s Hospital Hospice unit in Westerville, after an extended illness.
He was born July 23, 1925 in Delaware County, to the late Herbert Lee and Willmetta (Brown) Simmons, he was also predeceased by a son, Stuart Harold Simmons on May 20, 2013 and a brother Earl Simmons.
Harold attended the Claibourne one-room school from 1931-1935 and then entered the old High School of 1915 while the new High School facing Norris Street was being built. He graduated from Richwood High School, now North Union, Class of 1943, during WW II. Harold received his papers for the Military in October and was sworn into the U.S. Navy October 14, 1943 at the Old Post Office building on State Street in Columbus.
He arrived at Great Lakes Navel Training Station on October 21, 1943 and was shipped from there to Purdue University to the U.S. Navel Electrician School, graduating May 11, 1944. Reassigned to Norfolk, Va., he went aboard the USS Inch 146, a destroyer escort for anti-submarine duty against German U-boats as part of Task Force 22.5, Division 13. Harold finished his navel career at Puget Sound, Seattle, WA. A life-long farmer, he also worked at the Whirlpool Corp in Marion for 30 yrs.
Surviving is his wife, Ruth (Ransome) whom he married September 28, 1947 at the Richwood First Baptist Church, son Dr. Donald (Carole) Simmons of Wilmore, Ky. Daughter-in-law Shirley Simmons of Brookville
Granddaugters: Dr. Natalie Lynn Simmons, Laura Kay Simmons, Katie Lynn Simmons and Karen (Michael) Esposito
One brother: Gail Simmons of West Palm Beach, Fla.
Harold was a faithful member of the Richwood First Baptist Church, having served as deacon for many years until his health failed. He was a peaceful man, deeply loving his family, reverencing God with his whole heart and proud to be an American serving his country during WW II. He wrote approximately 82 biographies of local veterans and this work with the help of Ruth Cowgill has been preserved at the Richwood Public Library. These biographies cover a wide spectrum of WWII history and were meticulously written by him.
Funeral services will be held Saturday May 17, 2014 at noon at the Richwood First Baptist Church, where friends may call from 10:00 am until the time of service. Pastor Brian Owens will officiate, burial will follow in the Claibourne Cemetery, where there will be veteran services conducted by the Richwood Area Veterans.
The Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home in Richwood is assisting the family.
Memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church at 101 E. Ottawa Street Richwood, OH 43344 , Gideon’s International P.O. Box 140800 Nashville, TN 37214—0800 or the Wounded Warrior Project P.O. Box 758517 Topeka, Kansas 66675
Remembrances and condolences may be expressed at www.stofcheck-ballinger.com
Stofcheck-Ballinger Funeral Home