Thomas Jefferson Simmons

Thomas Jefferson “T.J.” Simmons, 94, of Dayton, Texas, passed away at his residence on Friday, August 11, 2017 surrounded by loving family. He was born on February 17, 1923 in Goose Creek, Texas to James and Drucie Carter Simmons. T.J. attended Tarkington Prairie High School and would often attend their class reunions with his sister. He went on to join the United States Army, where he proudly served his country during WWII and his father serving in the United States Navy during the same time.

T.J. had a love for driving trucks. He worked for many years as a truck driver before his retirement. T.J. was a long-time resident of Dayton, Texas. He was a member of the Rural Shade Baptist Church where he had in the past, sang in their choir. T.J. was also a Master Mason of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge.

T.J. had many hobbies, some of which included his passion of farming, cutting trees and chopping wood and fishing. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

T.J. was preceded in death by his parents; his grandson Christopher Luker; and his great-grandchildren, Madeline Haecker, Lauren Boedeker and T.J. Stephenson. He leaves behind to cherish his memory his son James Simmons and wife Karen of Lawrenceville, GA; his daughters Margaret Streavel of Channelview, TX, Mary Luker and husband Eddie of Missouri City, TX and Nina Stephenson and husband Douglas of Geismar, LA; his grandchildren Kayla Roddy, Michelle Bryan, Josh Simmons, Vanessa Streavel, Paul Streavel, Deanna Luker, Eddie Luker, John Luker, Alvin Stephenson and Daniel Stephenson; his numerous great-grandchildren; his sisters Anita Carby and Nila Pollard; and a host of other loving relatives and friends.

Honoring the family by serving as pallbearers will be Paul Streavel, John Luker, Eddie Luker, Alvin Stephenson, Daniel Stephenson and Alvin “Rowdy” Stephenson, III.

Friends are invited to visit with the family from 6pm until 8pm on Tuesday, August 15, 2017 in the chapel of Sterling Funeral Home, 602 N. Main Street, Dayton, TX. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Wednesday, August 16, 2017 at the Rural Shade Baptist Church, 3304 CR 2274, Cleveland, Texas. A graveside service and committal will immediately follow in Ryan Cemetery in Tarkington Prairie.

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