James Thomas “Tom” Simmons (August 02, 1932 - January 29, 2025)

In loving memory of
James Thomas “Tom” Simmons
  • August 02, 1932
  • -
  • January 29, 2025

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Obituary

Obituary
James Thomas Simmons, Jr.
August 2, 1932 – January 29, 2025

James Thomas “Tom” Simmons, Jr., was born in Orlando, Florida, on August 2, 1932 to James Thomas Simmons, Sr., and Ruth Thomas Simmons. Tom grew up in College Park where he attended Princeton Elementary School and graduated in 1950 in the last class of Orlando High School. Tom continued his education at Florida State University where he was active in the Westminster Fellowship. It was there that he met his future wife Marilyn Harris of Vero Beach. Tom graduated in 1954 with a degree in Business Administration, and he and Marilyn were married in August that year.

Tom completed his master’s in industrial psychology in 1955 and entered the United States Navy at the Officers’ Candidate School in Newport, RI, graduating as a Lieutenant JG. Tom continued his education in Athens, GA, at the Navy Supply Corp Officers School, and Tom and Marilyn’s daughter Nancy Jean was born in Athens. Tom’s first posting was aboard the USS Hancock based in San Francisco; he was deployed aboard the Hancock for six months with the Pacific 7th Fleet. Tom completed his military service at the Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, where son James Thomas Simmons III was born.

Tom’s civilian employment began in Pensacola, but soon after he accepted a position back in Orlando in administration for Orange County Schools. Son David Robert was born in Winter Park in 1964. As the new Florida Technological University was being developed, now the University of Central Florida, Tom became an early Director of Human Resources.

A native and life-long Floridian, Tom braved the cold for three years to serve as HR Director for Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, OH. Upon their return to Central Florida, Tom worked for Parson Consultants in Winter Park, then with the firm of Philip Crosby Associates, teaching and traveling globally with Crosby’s Quality College as it was known.

Throughout his adult life, Tom was active in the Presbyterian Church (USA), serving as an Elder and Adult Education facilitator. Tom and Marilyn were members of the former John Knox Presbyterian Church (now College Park), First Presbyterian Church of Maitland, Park Lake Presbyterian Church, and Winter Park Presbyterian Church. Tom participated in community and church efforts toward interfaith dialogue and peacemaking. He also was active in Rotary.

In their later years, Tom and Marilyn made their home at Westminster Winter Park where Tom enjoyed engaging in activities and programs. Tom became ill in January of this year and after a brief hospitalization, he died on January 29 at AdventHealth Winter Park.

Tom was preceded in death by his parents Tom and Ruth, older brothers Lamar and H. Eugene “Gene,” and a brother Frederick who died in childhood. Tom is survived by his wife of 70 years Marilyn Harris Simmons, children Nancy (Dr. Robert) Ferguson, J. Thomas III (JoAnn), and Dr. David (Rev. Linda) Simmons; grandchildren Hayley (Rev. Dave) Abney, Megan (Tommy) Ciserano, Patrick (Jacqueline) Ferguson, Jason (Sara) Bailey, Justin (Dr. Taylor) Simmons, Mary Ella Simmons, Eric Simmons; and great-grandchildren Houston Abney, Hart Abney, Elizabeth Ciserano, Dominic Ciserano, Andrew Ciserano, Alex Bailey, Easton Bailey, Kate Simmons, Annie Simmons, Ella Simmons, and Jack Simmons.

A memorial service giving thanks for the life of Tom Simmons will be held at Park Lake Presbyterian Church, 309 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL, on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 11:00 am. A graveside service at Pineywood Cemetery, Winter Park, will be private. Memorial gifts may be made to the giver’s choice or the UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry (successor to the Westminster Fellowship) at Florida State University (ukirktallahassee.com/support).


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