Charles Wayne Simmons

Charles Wayne Simmons of Nacogdoches passed away Sunday, February 23, 2020, in Nacogdoches at the age of 88. He was born September 15, 1931, in the Melrose Community of Nacogdoches County to parents C.A. Simmons and Erna Simmons Roberts.

A graduate of Nacogdoches High School, Mr. Simmons attended Del Mar Junior College before graduating from Stephen F. Austin State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree and a Master’s of Education Degree. He was a long-time football coach that started his career at the high school level coaching at Carthage High School, Leverett’s Chapel High School, and DeKalb High School. His collegiate coaching career began as an assistant at Stephen F. Austin State Universtiy from 1963-1966 and as the head football coach at Kilgore Junior College from 1967-1975. He then went on to become the head football coach and Director of Athletics for men at Stephen F. Austin State University from 1976-1981.

Charlie received numerous awards and accolades from his many years of coaching including Texas Sportswriters Association Coach of the Year while at Kilgore Junior College with Floyd Wagstaff, Legendary Coach at Tyler Junior College, Lone Star Conference Football Coach of the Year (only coach from SFA so honored in Lone Star Conference in football), Nacogdoches High School Hall of Fame, Kilgore Junior College Hall of Fame, and Stephen F. Austin Hall of Fame. He also served as President of Deep East Texas Council of Governments and President of North and East Texas Judges and Commissioners Association from 2006-2007.

Mr. Simmons served his country honorably in the United States Air Force from 1950-1954. He also served his community in the position of Nacogdoches County Commissioner from 1985-1992 and 2001-2008. He was a member of Milam Lodge #2 and Sharon Temple, Past President of Nacogdoches Shrine Club, and was a long-time active member of First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches.

Charlie was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Dixy Sullivan Simmons; daughter, Kathy Robinson; and brother, James Simmons.

He is survived by his wife of 5 years, Patricia Simmons; daughters, Karen Ambrose and husband Don of Coppell, Texas and Karolyn Clifton and husband Baker of Central Heights, Texas; son-in-law, Gary Robinson of Nacogdoches; grandchildren, Charlie Robinson, Eric Robinson, Christina Bahati, Kasey Goss, Brady Clifton, and Anthony Ambrose; great-grandchildren, Kate Robinson, Kyler Robinson, Kayden Robinson, Cooper Robinson, Kellyn Robinson, Gunner Goss, Gracelyn Goss, Esperanza Bahati, Francesco Bahati, and Ruby Kay Clifton; sister-in-law, Polly Simmons of Trinity; step-brother, James Roberts and wife Trisha of Nacogdoches; step-sister, Joan Hill and husband Glenn of Blackjack, Texas; step-sons, Larry Laningham and wife Debbie of Hideaway Lake, Texas, and David Laningham of Amarillo, Texas; and many other nieces, nephews, relatives, and dear friends.

Friends and family are invited to a visitation from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at Cason Monk-Metcalf Sunset Chapel.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday, February 27, 2020, at First United Methodist Church in Nacogdoches officiated by Rev. Lorraine Brown. Interment will follow at Oak Grove Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers will be Charlie Robinson, Eric Robinson, Brady Clifton, Anthony Ambrose, Jim Murphy, and Mike McClain. Honorary pallbearers will be Johnnie Johnson, Tom Strickland, Reggie Cotton, Jr., Gene Bates, Ned Fowler, Tom Bush, Ned Duncan, Sue Kennedy, Bailey Marshall, Larry Laningham, and all coaches and players in attendance from junior high school through the professional level.

Please visit www.CasonMonk-Metcalf.com to share your online condolences and memories.

Arrangements are under the direction of Cason Monk-Metcalf Funeral Directors, Nacogdoches.