H. Lee Simmons

Col. Simmons, 95, died Thursday, February 16, 2012, in Tallahassee, three days before his 96th birthday. Col. Simmons was born February 19th, 1916 in backwoods Osceola County, Florida to the late Hardy and Lily Simmons. He was a 6th generation Floridian whose Great, Great, Great Grandfather moved his family to Jacksonville, Florida from Beaufort, South Carolina in 1822. Later, his ancestors moved to central Florida where they have worked in cattle farming, citrus farming, business, and government. Col. Simmons graduated valedictorian from St. Cloud High School in 1935 and married Arvella Baker of St. Cloud shortly thereafter. In 1941, after working at several jobs including those of service station manager, railroad fireman, and policeman; and after attending the University of Florida for one year, he joined the Florida Highway Patrol. After attaining the rank of sergeant, he took a leave of absence from the Highway Patrol to serve in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He resumed his duties with the Florida Highway Patrol in 1945. He was stationed in several locations throughout central and southern Florida before being transferred to Miami, where he was promoted to the rank of Captain and assigned as troop commander. In 1957 he was promoted to Major and transferred to General Headquarters in Tallahassee. In 1972 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel and Assistant Director. He retired in 1977 after 36 years of faithful and honorable service to the state. Among his achievements, he directed state law enforcement in St. Augustine, Florida in 1964. In this capacity he was instrumental in protecting civil rights advocates and other citizens during a period of racial and civil unrest. He was also the primary organizer for security and protocol for several Governors' Inaugurations. Col. Simmons is pre-deceased by his wife; Arvella Norma Simmons; his second wife, Jean Simmons; his brothers Luie and Lilburn Simmons; and his sisters, Virginia Floyd and Loretta Whitaker. He is survived by his children; Barbara Willis (Barry) and Nelson Simmons (Elizabeth) of Tallahassee and Stephen Simmons (Laura) of Jacksonville; six grandchildren, Scott Willis (Barbara Jean), Hardy Willis (Beverly), Krista Callen (Scott), Sarah Ruddell-Thompson (Scottie), Belinda Gerber (Andrew) and Nicholas Harper (Emile); fourteen great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren; and his sister Lois Hughey of Kissimmee, Florida, and Lila Driscoll of Orlando, Florida. Col. Simmons is beloved by many because of his leadership and especially because of his extraordinary kindness. He is well known as one of the pillars of the Florida Highway Patrol and one of its staunchest advocates. He is the best of fathers and husbands and has worked tirelessly for co-workers, friends and family alike. He is our husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and guide and we love him dearly. His family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Eastern) on Monday, February 20th at the Bradfordville First Baptist Church, 6494 Thomasville Road, with a funeral service immediately following at 2:00 p.m. Interment service will be at Culley's MeadowWood on Timberlane Road, Tallahassee, 32312. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Shriners Hospital for Children, Marzuq Shriners, P.O. Box 37130, Tallahassee, Florida 32315.

Arrangements under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home, Tallahassee, FL.