Obituary for Gordon Paul Simmons
Gordon Paul Simmon
5/24/1930 - January 9, 2023
Gordon Paul Simmons, beloved husband, father, and friend passed away January 9, 2023, at 92 years young. He had battled three consecutive medical punches in December that just wore him out.
Gordon was born in his family home in Clinton on 5/24/30 to Theodore (Teddy) and Astrid (Esther) Simmons and continued to live his entire life in Clinton. Gordon and his two older brothers Melvin and Henry enjoyed growing up on their parents' farm. There was a lot of hard work but also many cars and various equipment to drive or rebuild to keep Gordon busy.
In 1946 Gordon, Melvin, Henry, and their dad Teddy built Simmons Garage and Towing in Clinton with help of local carpenters. Gordon was still in High School but remembered many towing adventures he went on before graduating. After numerous, very funny antics in High school, many "shop" classes and the benefits of being a friend of the principal and a very good athlete, he graduated from Langley High School in 1949.
After graduation Gordon worked full time at Simmons Garage & Towing, even building their first tow truck! They also became a Ford dealership which made dad a Ford man through and through! Gordon was drafted into the Korean War in 1951 and spent time as a vehicle repairman keeping all their trucks running.
After returning from the war Gordon went back to work at Simmons Garage & Towing and married his high school sweetheart Shirley Ann Novarra on 6/26/54. They built their family home on Humphrey Rd in Clinton this same year. In 1962 they adopted their daughter Sonya and in 1965 they adopted their other daughter Sharon. Gordon loved attending both of his girl's athletic games and horse events. He was their biggest supporter, even participating in some wild horse events at the Island County Fair himself. When he could drag himself away from work his favorite place to relax was Reno or Las Vegas. He truly was the luckiest person I've ever met at the slots! He always thought of his girls when going on vacation and would often make sure the trips involved a stop in Disneyland too.
Gordon and his brother Melvin operated Simmons Garage & Towing until 1977 when Gordon bought Mel out. Gordon and Shirley continued to run garage and towing until his daughter Sonya & Gary Peterson (his son in law and 18-year employee) purchased the business so he could maybe try to retire at 81 years old! He did finally find time to enjoy working on his bulldozer, backhoe, tractor, dump truck and fire truck during his short retirement.
Gordon was honored as a Hometown Hero in 2009, was inducted into the Tow Truck Hall of Fame in Chattanooga Tenn. in 2010 and honored for being the longest member (64 years in 2010) of AAA Roadside Assistance. As of 2022, Simmons Towing has been the longest AAA provider in the State of Washington for 77 years. He was also very proud of being a South Whidbey Volunteer Firefighter for 46 years. He really did not want to retire from firefighting so when he aged out as a volunteer, he bought his own fire truck so he could keep on driving one & spraying water on mom's garden with the fire hose! I'm not sure she really appreciated it! Gordons daughters were the pride and joy of his life as he would.
tell everyone who visited him. Recently he was extremely overjoyed to have celebrated the Holidays with friends & family at his home on Dec 10, 2022.
Gordon has also been a member of St Peters Lutheran church in Clinton for 92 years. A church where his grandparents were founding members in 1901 and where he will be laid to rest with his extended family.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and his brothers Melvin and Henry and his son in law Gary Eickhoff. He is survived by his daughter Sharon and his daughter Sonya (Gary) and his beloved grandchildren Makenzie and Jonathon (Lilly) Peterson.
The family would like to sincerely thank all of his caregivers who took such great care of dad over the years.
Dad, we all loved you...your big welcoming smile, your twinkling eyes and all the good you did for so many. Your big heart and your faithful service to your community for so many years is a standout tribute to be remembered. We are so fortunate to call you dad- thank you for everything you have done for us but mostly for bringing us into your life with mom and loving us.
5/24/1930 - January 9, 2023
Gordon Paul Simmons, beloved husband, father, and friend passed away January 9, 2023, at 92 years young. He had battled three consecutive medical punches in December that just wore him out.
Gordon was born in his family home in Clinton on 5/24/30 to Theodore (Teddy) and Astrid (Esther) Simmons and continued to live his entire life in Clinton. Gordon and his two older brothers Melvin and Henry enjoyed growing up on their parents' farm. There was a lot of hard work but also many cars and various equipment to drive or rebuild to keep Gordon busy.
In 1946 Gordon, Melvin, Henry, and their dad Teddy built Simmons Garage and Towing in Clinton with help of local carpenters. Gordon was still in High School but remembered many towing adventures he went on before graduating. After numerous, very funny antics in High school, many "shop" classes and the benefits of being a friend of the principal and a very good athlete, he graduated from Langley High School in 1949.
After graduation Gordon worked full time at Simmons Garage & Towing, even building their first tow truck! They also became a Ford dealership which made dad a Ford man through and through! Gordon was drafted into the Korean War in 1951 and spent time as a vehicle repairman keeping all their trucks running.
After returning from the war Gordon went back to work at Simmons Garage & Towing and married his high school sweetheart Shirley Ann Novarra on 6/26/54. They built their family home on Humphrey Rd in Clinton this same year. In 1962 they adopted their daughter Sonya and in 1965 they adopted their other daughter Sharon. Gordon loved attending both of his girl's athletic games and horse events. He was their biggest supporter, even participating in some wild horse events at the Island County Fair himself. When he could drag himself away from work his favorite place to relax was Reno or Las Vegas. He truly was the luckiest person I've ever met at the slots! He always thought of his girls when going on vacation and would often make sure the trips involved a stop in Disneyland too.
Gordon and his brother Melvin operated Simmons Garage & Towing until 1977 when Gordon bought Mel out. Gordon and Shirley continued to run garage and towing until his daughter Sonya & Gary Peterson (his son in law and 18-year employee) purchased the business so he could maybe try to retire at 81 years old! He did finally find time to enjoy working on his bulldozer, backhoe, tractor, dump truck and fire truck during his short retirement.
Gordon was honored as a Hometown Hero in 2009, was inducted into the Tow Truck Hall of Fame in Chattanooga Tenn. in 2010 and honored for being the longest member (64 years in 2010) of AAA Roadside Assistance. As of 2022, Simmons Towing has been the longest AAA provider in the State of Washington for 77 years. He was also very proud of being a South Whidbey Volunteer Firefighter for 46 years. He really did not want to retire from firefighting so when he aged out as a volunteer, he bought his own fire truck so he could keep on driving one & spraying water on mom's garden with the fire hose! I'm not sure she really appreciated it! Gordons daughters were the pride and joy of his life as he would.
tell everyone who visited him. Recently he was extremely overjoyed to have celebrated the Holidays with friends & family at his home on Dec 10, 2022.
Gordon has also been a member of St Peters Lutheran church in Clinton for 92 years. A church where his grandparents were founding members in 1901 and where he will be laid to rest with his extended family.
Gordon was preceded in death by his wife Shirley and his brothers Melvin and Henry and his son in law Gary Eickhoff. He is survived by his daughter Sharon and his daughter Sonya (Gary) and his beloved grandchildren Makenzie and Jonathon (Lilly) Peterson.
The family would like to sincerely thank all of his caregivers who took such great care of dad over the years.
Dad, we all loved you...your big welcoming smile, your twinkling eyes and all the good you did for so many. Your big heart and your faithful service to your community for so many years is a standout tribute to be remembered. We are so fortunate to call you dad- thank you for everything you have done for us but mostly for bringing us into your life with mom and loving us.