Samuel Howard Simmons Jr.

Samuel Howard Simmons Jr., 64, passed away Friday, June 17, 2016, at Centennial Medical Center, Frisco, Texas, following a short bout of cancer.

Sam was born July 2, 1951, in Joplin, Mo. His parents were Samuel Howard Simmons Sr, and his wife, the former Twyla Anderson. He had lived in Broken Arrow for the past 19 years.

He was raised in Galena, Kan., and graduated from Galena High School with the class of 1969. He then furthered his education by earning a masters of science in education degree from Pitt State University, Pittsburg, Kan. He began teaching at the Nevada High School. He then moved to Dearborn, Mich., to teach and later became a high school principal there. After he retired from teaching, he moved to Broken Arrow, he became employed as a postal carrier, a job he held for 17 years until the present.

Sam was a member of the Asbury United Methodist Church, Tulsa, Okla. He was also a member of the National Assn. of Letter Carriers. He enjoyed watching sports, and was an avid New York Yankee baseball fan.

Surviving is one son, Brad (wife, Traci) Simmons, Frisco, Texas; one daughter, Megan (wife, Jackie) Martinez, Las Vegas, Nev.; one brother, Don Simmons, Paragould, Ariz.; one sister, Connie (husband, Doug) Spears, Galena, Kan.; and four grandchildren, Kacie Simmons, Brady Simmons, Aidan Mortl, and Kaitlan Mortl.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Cheryl Clifford.

The family has planned to acknowledge his birthday by having a memorial service at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, July 2, at Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, Kan. A visitation will follow the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Galena Education Foundation or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in care of the funeral home.