Clarence "Short" Edward Simmons

Clarence Edward “Short” Simmons 1943 – 2015 Longtime resident of La Mesa, CA, Short Simmons peacefully passed away on November 15, 2015 surrounded by his loving family and friends at Kaiser Hospital. This fine man took up residence in the San Diego area when he joined the Navy in 1962 leaving behind his home town of Corning, Iowa. He was a Vietnam Vet and proud to serve his country. He served on the aircraft carrier, Bon Homme Richard, better known as the Bonnie Dick. Short was loved by any and all who had the privilege of knowing him, benefiting from his many talents and dry sense of humor. He had a gift of making everyone feel special to him and was quite the jokester. He will be missed… from the boys and girls he mentored in Little League baseball to the co-workers that benefited from his exceptional work ethic and knowledge. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, a sister, along with numerous others - grandparents, aunts, uncles, and niece. Short is survived by his loving wife and best friend, Patricia, his son, Scott (Stacey) and daughter Julie Hindle (Jason), along with his six grandsons; Auden, Ryan, Gavin, Carson, Liam and Finn. He is also survived by one brother and a sister as well as numerous nieces and nephews and all the many, many friends and extended family members who will miss him dearly. Short spent his career working at North Island Naval Air Station as an aircraft examiner following a tour of duty in the Navy for four plus years. His jet mechanic training in the Navy continued on as a civil servant while advancing to aircraft examiner status. His career required a lot of travel domestically and globally to such areas as Korea, Japan and Australia. He retired with 38 years of service in January 2000. Short had many passions including his woodworking shop where he could build just about anything. All his grandsons are proud owners of 18 wheeler trucks and there are many pieces of furniture and cabinetry around the home to be treasured for years to come. His friends admired his knowledge of mechanics, electrical, plumbing, etc. and would frequently call for help. A real jack of all trades!! Another passion was his love for little league baseball. To this day when he runs into one of the many players he coached, they fondly remember his kind, patient and knowledgeable skills in treating them with respect and sharing constructive instructions to each in order to reach their own abilities. He spent years of his life mentoring not only his son but four of his grandsons. The boys especially enjoyed how he coached pitching skills. Another passion in recent years has been traveling around the country with his best friend, Pat having the wonderful opportunity to travel to 49 out of 50 states together as well as travelling to Scotland and Ireland. On one trip he made it to Williamsburg, PA to visit the Little League World Series park – a place he had always wanted to go. This beloved man touched countless lives and he will never be forgotten.