Thomas Lyle Simmerman

Thomas Lyle Simmerman, 77, passed away on January 22, 2022 in Grapevine, Texas after a brief but hard-fought battle with cancer. The oldest of 7 boys, Tom was born on July 9, 1944 to Lyle Dever Simmerman and Mary Ann Simmerman (Schweig) in Kearney, Nebraska.

Tom grew up in Long Beach, California after moving from Nebraska with his family at the age of 10. A graduate of Lakewood High School (1962), Tom spent the majority of his professional career in the aerospace industry. As a young contracts manager with Puraflow, a supplier of aerospace parts, Tom’s hard work and ingenuity helped the company garner an award from Boeing for small business of the year. Subsequently, Tom went to work as a buyer and later a project manager for McDonnell Douglas and Boeing on the KC-10, MD-80, MD-11 and C-17 programs before retiring in 2005. He also served on the Board of the McDonnell Douglas Long Beach Management Club for several years.

Tom’s interests and talents were vast and varied. Whip-smart and curious, Tom took great pleasure in learning new things. A pilot, weather enthusiast, and history buff, he could tell you just about anything about anything – and sometimes, he was right! Carrying on his mother’s dedication to charity, Tom devoted many hours to fundraising for California Pools for the Handicapped.

His lifelong passion was golf. Brought in as a ringer in many a member-guest tournament (and sometimes referred to as “Mr. Automatic”), Tom was a scratch golfer for most of his life who shot below his age well into his 70’s. Having made an impressive 18 holes-in-one over his lifetime, Tom was a five-time Club Champion at Monterey Country Club, Club Champion at El Dorado Park Golf Course and Old Ranch Country Club and Golfer of the Year at El Dorado Park Golf Course. In the 1970’s, Tom served as Long Beach Golf Commissioner and was a member of the L.A. Open Committee.

Above all else, Tom was a dedicated husband, loving father and grandfather, and a good friend to many. He was endlessly proud of his family and their accomplishments, as he would frequently tell anyone who would listen. Tom loved telling a good joke, talking about Angels baseball, and lamenting California’s descent into socialism.

Tom is survived by his wife of more than 40 years, Mary, his sons Danny Simmerman and Jeff Simmerman, his daughter Kirstie Espinosa and her husband Chris, and his grandchildren, Christian Simmerman, William Espinosa and Catherine Espinosa. Tom was predeceased by his parents, his brothers John and Mike, and his beloved dog Moose. A memorial service will be held on March 12, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert, California. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Cancer Society in honor of Tom’s memory.