Class of: 1950
Deceased: 2014-06-29

A native of Jacksonville, Florida, Col. Simmons completed his undergraduate degree at Stetson University and was attending law school when he joined the Air Force in 1950. He later completed his graduate degree in business. Col. Simmons retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1980 after 30 years of service. He served a tour of duty in Korea and Vietnam and during his thirty years of service, posted more than 6,000 hours piloting multi-engine heavy jet military aircraft, specifically, the C-141 Starlifter. His service awards include the Air Medal, Bronze Star and Bronze Star for Valor, the Legion of Merit, and the Republic of South Korea Meritorious Service Medal. Following his Air Force retirement, Col. Simmons spent the next 13 years in the credit union industry as President of several financial institutions.