Mr. Jerry Leonard Simmons

Jerry Leonard Simmons, 87, of Winston-Salem passed away peacefully Saturday November 16 at the KBR Hospice Home. He was born in Nebo, NC on January 20, 1926 to Furman Oscar Simmons and Sarah Margaret Jaynes Simmons. Jerry grew up in Nebo and graduated from Nebo High School. After serving in the Army for two years post World War II in Yokohama Japan, he graduated from Appalachian State Teachers College in 1950. He taught high school history for 3 years in Marion, NC. Jerry married Ruby Lea Kiser at St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Kings Mountain, NC on September 1, 1951. They were married for 62 years until Ruby passed away October 1, 2013. He joined W. E. Graham & Sons Construction Company as Safety Director in June 1953 and developed its first formal safety program. In 1959 W. E. Graham merged with Vulcan Materials Company where he worked for over 37 years until his retirement in February 1991 as Manager of Administration. While with Vulcan Jerry was very active in industry trade associations and a recognized leader in industry safety, health and community affairs. He served as President of the North Carolina Aggregates Association, Chairman of the Public Relations Committee of the Virginia Aggregates Association and was instrumental at the national level in the development of quarry beautification and improved community relations. He was awarded the National Crushed Stone Association's 'Pathfinder Award' and given lifetime membership for his efforts. He was appointed to the NC Department of Labor's Industry Advisory Board by the late Labor Commissioner Billy Creel and reappointed by Commissioner John Brooks. Jerry was a member of New Philadelphia Moravian Church for 12 years where he started the Men's Breakfast in 2001 and headed it for 10 years. He served as Elder for NPMC and sang in the choir. He also served as Elder and Deacon for Highland Presbyterian Church where he was a member for 38 years. Jerry was an avid golfer, playing often at Tanglewood, Pinebrook and Salem Glen. One of his proudest moments was playing 18 holes of golf with Arnold Palmer at the Mazda Pro-Am Championship in 1987 in Jamaica. He was a passionate gardener, keeping his family, friends and neighbors supplied with tomatoes, potatoes and cucumbers. He was appointed to the Tanglewood Park Authority in 1978, serving for 18 years, 7 of those years as Chairman. He also served as interim Park Manager during which time he spearheaded the creation of the Tanglewood Holiday Light Show. Jerry is survived by his brother Ray Nelson Simmons and wife, Dimples of Brevard, NC and his sister Jewell Leigh Simmons Wells and husband, Donald of Whitesburg, GA. His twin brother Gen Laughlin Simmons and wife, Sandy of Cary, NC passed away in 2004. He leaves behind three children: Jerry Scott Simmons and wife, Janet of Garner, NC, Deborah Kay Simmons of Alpharetta, GA, Betsy Simmons Fraser and husband, David of Winston-Salem, NC. He is survived by four grandchildren who loved their 'PopPop' dearly: Rebecca Patrice Johnson and husband, Matthew of Pasadena, CA; Justin Alexander Brown of Buford, GA; Garrison Conrad Brown of Alpharetta, GA; Duncan Cole Fraser of Winston-Salem, NC. A memorial service for Jerry will take place Saturday November 23, 2013 at 11:00 am at New Philadelphia Moravian Church, 4440 Country Club Road, Winston-Salem, NC 27104, with a reception following in the Fellowship Hall. Memorials may be sent to the church to help implement Jerry's vision for a motorized cart to shuttle seniors at church events.

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