Richard S. Simons Jr.

Richard S. Simons, Jr., age 79, died at his home on June 20 after a lengthy illness. He was affectionately known by his family and close friends as B. D. Rhino (Big Daddy Rhinocewitz) a character and story he created for the amusement and enjoyment of his children when they were young.

At age 21 Dick sat for the CPA exam, earning the Gold Key from the GA Society of CPAs for the highest grade in Georgia and the Sells Silver Medal Award from the AICPA for the second highest grade in the US. He was a founding partner in the firm of Windom Brannon Simons & Cashin CPAs, now known as Windom Brannon. He left that firm to become managing partner in the firm of Cutcliffe & Simons, CPAs, which position he held until retirement in 1988.

He had a love of astronomy and built the Chesham Observatory at his home, named for his grandparents, Commissioners Albert and Julia Chesham, of the Salvation Army. The motto of the observatory is “The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.” Albert Chesham introduced him to the beauty created by God in the night sky.

He is survived by Varley Miller Simons and their four children, Miriam Ruth Simons, Richard S. Simons, III and wife, Sharon, Linda Simons Melvin and Paul Knox Simons, Sr. He is also survived by a daughter from a previous marriage, Jeanne Marie Heeley and husband, Ted; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Services will be held at Floral Hills Funeral Home on Sunday at 3:00 with internment in Floral Hills Cemetery. The family will receive friends before the service from 1:30 to 3:00. Friends are invited to return for a reception with the family after the internment. The service will be conducted by retired Majors Allan and Marjorie Wiltshire and Lts. Carlos and Valentina Cantu of the Salvation Army. The family tribute will be given by Dick’s first cousin, David Chesham.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Peachcrest Corps of the Salvation Army.