Thomas Simmons

Tom Simmons saddled up for his final and eternal ride on July 22, 2013, after a full life of adventures. A celebration of his life will be held at 2:00p.m. Saturday July 27, 2013 at the American Legion Hall. Friends are invited to follow the riderless horse procession from Camplex Park to the American Legion Hall beginning at 1:00p.m. on Saturday. Tom was born on 8/32/34 in Madison, SD, to James and Elizabeth (Beecham) Simmons. He attended Alzada Elementary, and graduated from Hysham, MT high school in 1953. During high school he lettered in Football playing DE and WR as well as in Basketball as a Point Guard. After graduation Tom started working as a ranch hand, most memorably at the Williams, Wilson, Simpson, Nemick and Nefsy ranches, ending at the Hubing Ranch in Biddle, MT. On November 3, 1957 Tom married Mary Ferguson. From that marriage they had 4 children; Jim, Dee, Philip and Iva Simmons. They started their family in rural Montana, and then moved to Gillette, WY in 1977. After moving to Gillette he started driving truck for Jim's Water Service, where he discovered his true career path. In 1988 he started driving truck over the road. He saw this country from the Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean; Canada to Mexico and everything in between. This included his favorite places: the caves of Kansas City, MO; meat market in Huntspoint, NY; plants in Sanford, FL; produce on the coast of California and the ice rains in Texas. In 1994 Tom and his son, Phil, started Ridge Runner Trucking. This endeavor made it possible for him to continue to see the country as well as provide for his family. He returned to his family in 1997 on a full time basis, by working for Jim's Water Service as a lease driver, hauling water for the oil industry. He retired from the road in 2002; where his outgoing personality won him many friends and acquaintances in all ports. This includes having a burger named after him at The Knuckle Saloon in Sturgis SD, called the Tommy Burger and showing the younger generation the art of bull taming in Edgemont, SD. His favorite moments at the end were spent at the Senior Center in Gillette, WY with Becky and table 11. To his last day he prided himself in the art of the cowboy way, continually telling stories of his younger days and teaching the younger generations how to travel through life and appreciate each day as a new beginning. Tom is survived by his wife Mary Simmons; his children: James Simmons, Dee (Tom) Petrizzo, Phillip (Tammie) Simmons, Iva (Dale) Howard; Lori Simmons; siblings: Marie (Gordon) Scoville and Carolyn Foran; his grandchildren: Rebel Henderson (Jerry Schwindt), Dusty Henderson, Kyra Simmons (Cody Coyle), Thomas Simmons, Mark Simmons, DouAnn Curtis, Dustin Curtis, Sarina (Frankie) Young, Raychel Ogden, Danny Simmons, LaRissa Starbuck, Miranda Niehoff, Jesse Niehoff, LaShay (Jim) Hoblit, Shawn (Leah) Hochhalter, Timara Beard, Chandra Beard, Keegan Howard, Andreya Howard, Quinton Howard; Great Grandchildren: Shaylynn Henderson, Tyler Schwindt, Trever Henderson, Alexa Henderson, Jayce Henderson, Jaiden Simmons, Jacey Simmons, Javon Coyle, Trevon Coyle, Tarynn Curtis, Keatyn Curtis, Jaridyn Curtis, Elizabeth Curtis, Xandra Curtis, Bonita Young, Connor Quillen, Elliott Young, Amber Young, Danicia Young, Grayson Alldee, Baily Gross, Ali Beard and his special friends: Deb Vonkenroth, Barb Beatty, Senior Center, Table 11, Becky and numerous others. He is preceded in death by his parents: Elizabeth D. Beecham and James Gerard Simmons, his brother Jim Simmons; Grandchildren: Kyle Victor Simmons, Amanda Jo Simmons, April Maye Curtis, and those to forever give his eternal ride: White Tail, Barney, Dusty, Black Eagle, Duke, Yeller Joe, Lil' Red and Sox. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Senior Center in Gillette, WY in Tom's honor Memorials and condolences may be sent in Tom's name in care of Walker Funeral Home, 410 Medical Arts Court, Gillette, Wyoming 82716. Condolences may also be sent via our website: www.walkerfuneralhome.comFuneral Home:Walker Funeral Home410 Medical Arts CourtGillette, WYUS 82716