LEON SIMMONS

ADA-Services for Leon Allen Simmons, 78, Ada, are 2:00 p.m. Friday at the Criswell Funeral Home Chapel, Revs. Roger McMahan and Harold Holt will officiate. Burial will follow at Rosedale Cemetery. The Chickasaw Honor Guard will conduct military honors at the cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Thursday at the Criswell Chapel.

Mr. Simmons died Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at his home. He was born April 28, 1931 at Roff, Oklahoma to Charlie and Julie Summers Simmons. He attended Roff schools.

He married Francine Stowe on March 28, 1953 at Ada, Oklahoma. Mr. Simmons was employed with Jones Oil Company, Ada Junior High and then Oklahoma State Bank and the First United Bank for over 40 years. He was a member of the Bible Baptist Church and had served in the National Guard, 45th Division during the Korean Conflict.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Francine Simmons, of the home; a daughter, Gwen Oliver and husband Dan, Ada; a son, Ronnie Simmons, Ada; brother, Louis Simmons, Visalia, California; four grandchildren, Mandy Simmons, Bryce Oliver, Brenda Oliver Cook and husband Val, and Taryn Haney, all of Ada; two great grandchildren, Devanee Nicole Simmons and Jace Brendan Cook, both of Ada; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and countless children who he was affectionately known as "Papa".

He was preceded in death by his parents, and brothers, Earl Lester Simmons, Glen Simmons, C. J. Simmons, and Clifford Simmons.

Bearers will be Ronnie Simmons, Dan Oliver, Bryce Oliver, Val Cook, Billy Westmoreland, and Morris Cane. Honorary bearers are Thomas Gilliam, Kirby Wright, Bill Clevenger, Mike Mapp, Robert Mapp, Leroy Fennell, and the retired members of the 45th Division of the National Guard.

Criswell Funeral Home, Ada