Erwin Joseph Simmons

Erwin Joseph Simmons began his journey in Lowville, New York on the 18th of September 1955. He was born to Gordon and Patricia Simmons. As he grew up imagining a life similar to the stories brought to life by Sir Howard Pyle in the Merry Adventures of Robin Hood. Dreams of adventures and a love of archery started here. Joe continued to refine his skills and became an archery instructor for a while. While growing up in the foothills and forests of the Adriondack Mountains along the Black River in upstate New York seemed idyllic for hunting and mountain enthusiasts, Joe needed more. Joe left soon after graduation and set out for new adventures and joined the Active Army in December of 1977.

SSG Simmons served honorably as a Tanker, working as an Armor Crewman and indirect fires team-member. He spent much of his career going to and from Germany and Fort Knox, Kentucky with one final move to then Fort Hood, now Fort Cavazos. He completed quite a few additional courses while serving in the military to include Basic and Advance Noncommissioned Officer Courses (NCO).

He was assigned 3rd Infantry Division working in both Delta Company and the Headquarters Company of 3rd Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment (3-64 Armor) in Schweinfurt, Germany. Later he transferred to Ayers Kaserne, in Kirsh-Gons, Germany and worked as a tank commander. During the Gulf War he provided security to the housing area as the rear Operations NCO for the rear-detachment. After leaving Germany SSG Simmons was assigned to 67th Armored Regiment at Fort Cavazos (Formerly Fort Hood) where he remained until his retirement.

Once in Germany SSG Simmons ventured out into the communities and connected to others through his many hobbies and interests. While venturing out into those known worlds he loved sharing those worlds and hobbies with others. During some of these interactions he met a woman who shared his love of adventure. He met Lynn Grodevant, a fellow soldier and creative in her own right. They spent time traveling Europe and the UK and enjoyed community with friends playing Dungeons and Dragons for days on end. While they did not have children they surrounded themselves with circles of families. After coordinating a military school in the U.S., coincidently at the same new duty station as Lynn, he worked out a way to stay at Fort Knox, Kentucky a while longer to stay with his love interest. After a while his unit in Germany realized he had not returned and coordinated for him to head back overseas. This was a subtle rebellion to authority like his hero Robin Hood. He and Lynn were later married and traveled to Germany and Texas together.

In addition to being a husband, a solider, a tanker and a leader Joe had a long list of hobbies and interests. Many friends shared his love of science fiction, horror films and the mystical. He loved to research the culture and custom, food and drink, and the costume and ceremonies of so many periods. His insistence on historical accuracy led to many more hobbies; sewing period clothes, meticulously creating hundreds of metal hoops to create full suit of chain mal, and collecting many swords, arms, weapons and bows. The subjects and periods were vast and varied; he pursued Dragons and Viking Lore, Greek Mythology, Medieval life, the Tudors, the Renaissance. Once across the pond, Joe also took to joining other hobbyists to recreate Colonial Life, the American Revolution, the Move West with the Buck Skinners and even the Civil War.

As a long time member of the Society for Creative Anachronism (S.C.A.) Joe created the family circles that we all seek in a lifetime. He belonged to so many groups and so many families his impact was deeply felt. In his S.C.A. he was known as Lord Eric Bentbow, House of Bentbow, Drachenwald. Lord Eric was a true knight in every sense of the word. He was brave, chivalrous and always willing to help those in need. A man of war a swordsman, an archer, a minister, a kind teacher and a great friend.

Army Decorations include Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters Army Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal (6) , NCO Professional Development (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2).

SSG Erwin Joseph Simmons retired Honorably from the U.S. Army and Served 19 years and 7 months in service to a grateful nation.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Gordon and Patricia Simmons, his sister Rose Ottey and his wife Lynn (Grodevant) Simmons.

He is survived by his Aunt Edith Martin, one niece and 2 nephews.

Praying in your tradition. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shinning stars to you. Deep peace to the son of peace to you.

Until Valhalla.

A memorial service for Erwin will be held Saturday, November 4, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Crawford-Bowers, 211 W Ave B, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com for the Simmons family.