Michael Wayne Simmons

Michael was born in Brooklyn, New York on July 1, 1959 to Eddie James and Ernestine Simmons. He was the second child of his fathers six children. Michael attended James Madison High School in Brooklyn, New York. As a kid, you could always catch him with a basketball in hand at the park near his house, patiently awaiting his chance to hop on the court with the older guys. Over the years, he earned respect for his exceptional ball handling skills.

In the summer of 1978, he set out on a bold cross-country trip from New York to the Pacific Northwest after being recruited by Seattle University. He attended and played ball for Bellevue Community College briefly before transferring to Seattle University, where he majored in Criminal Justice and continued his basketball career. In December of 1985, Michael was at practice in the Seattle University gym when he first locked eyes on Kris Henry, a beauty from the women’s basketball team who would become his wife six years later. They would go on to have two children together.

After college, Michael worked for Seattle’s Downtown Emergency Service Center, until he was hired as a Community Service Officer (CSO) with the City of Seattle in 1989 - CSO #21 5373. He went through the Seattle Police Academy in 1991 -1992, but didn’t feel the police officer role was for him. He resumed his CSO position where he served the Seattle community for twelve more years. In 2004, Michael began working as a Safety Officer for the Kent School District, after four years he transitioned to the role of Dean of Students at Kent-Meridian High School. He was also known as “Coach” to a number of young athletes on the Kent-Meridian High School and Garfield High School basketball teams over the years. Michael demonstrated a passion and special affinity for mentoring youth, successfully encouraging many to strive toward their full potential.

Family and community were everything to Michael. If you knew him, he likely considered you family. From his regular Sunday video chats with his siblings to nightly calls and texts to friends and family, Michael was always sure to check in on those he loved. While his passing is a huge loss felt by communities across the nation, Michael’s impact and legacy will undoubtedly live on forever.

Michael is preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and Ernestine Simmons, and his sister, Benia Monereau (Henney). He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of thirty-two years, Kris Henry-Simmons; daughter Sierra Simmons and granddaughter Savannah Simmons; son Micah Simmons; sister Robin Bell of Howard Beach, New York; sister Barbara Simmons Kelly of Long Island City, New York, brother Richard Simmons (Aisha) of Raleigh, North Carolina; sister Sabrina Bell of Wetumpka, Alabama; bonus brother Mark Strother (Joy), ten nieces and nephews, and an abundance of cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, and students that may as well have been family.

The family would like to thank Kaiser Permanente and Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, Washington for their dedication to his final care. Additional thanks for the kindness and compassion that has been extended to the family by so many during their time of loss.

The Mike Simmons Memorial Scholarship is in the works at Kent-Meridian High School - https://kent.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit id=1462

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that you consider donating to his namesake fund.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared below for the Simmons family.

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A funeral service for Michael will be held Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 10:30 AM to 12 PM, followed by a graveside service from 12 to 12:30 PM at Greenwood Memorial Park Funeral Home, 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton, WA 98056. (The service will also be live streamed and recorded - information to be provided at a later time).

A celebration of life will follow the same day from 1:30 to 4:30 PM at the Kent-Meridian High School gymnasium, 10020 SE 256th St, Kent, WA 98030.

I want to thank everyone:

Greenwood Memorial: Anna Cammon and John Park

Speakers at the Service: Robin Bell, Wade Barringer, Ray Jenkins, Gwen Jimmerson, Butch Pinchback

Kent Meridian who helped with Michaels Celebration:

Wade Barringer, David Radford, Felicia Stone, Debbie Cochran, Teresa Allen, DeDe Davis, Joyce Holtz, Aung and Clemente, Michael Transier (video), Jay Thornton (A/V), and Georgina Erickson for singing Amazing Grace.

CSO's: the Japanese Maple plant, the CSO Last Call, and plant baskets

And everyone who sent cards, called, texted, and stopped by.