Samuel Simmons

Samuel Corwin Simmons passed away January 10, 2022, in Midlothian, Texas with his loved ones nearby.  He was born to Viola and Corwin Simmons on January 22, 1935 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Samuel married Barbara Nelson in August, 1958. Both Sam and Barb attended Augustana College in Sioux Falls, and graduated in 1960. They moved to Oxford, Mississippi where Sam continued his education, earning his Master’s Degree in English and American Literature at Ole Miss. In 1962, they moved to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he was a professor at the University of Middle Tennessee.

In 1966, Sam took his first flying lesson, obtained his pilot’s certification, and went to work as a pilot for Eastern Airlines in 1967. He loved flying, and often boasted, “I never have to go to work, and they pay me for doing what I love.” He retired as a Captain, at 55 years old. Soon after, he went back into the working world, and was a technical writer for United Airlines in Denver, Colorado, where he created the flight training instruction manual and computer program for the A320 Airbus. Sam retired for the second time in 2003, and then they moved to Ovilla, Texas in 2008 to be close to their family.

Sam loved to tinker with things, and had many hobbies throughout his life. He dabbled in cabinetry building, fixed and rebuilt cars, demolished and remodeled bathrooms and kitchens, and built and flew model planes. His last passion was model trains. His train buddies and he transformed the pool house into a model railroader’s paradise. Sam absolutely loved his Tuesday night train club gatherings.

Samuel is preceded in death by his parents, Corwin and Viola (Stordahl) Simmons, his sister, Sharon Miller, and his wife, Barbara Nelson Simmons. He is survived by his daughters, Beth and her husband David Griffin and Laura Wyatt; Grandsons, Michael, Sean, and Scott Griffin and grand-daughter, Stephanie Wyatt.

A visitation for Samuel Simmons will be held at Ovilla United Methodist Church, Saturday, January 22, 2022 from 9 am to 10 am. His funeral service will be held at 10:15 am, followed by internment at Shiloh Cemetery.