James "Ed" Edward Simmons

Ed was born September 3, 1951 in Hialeah, Florida to James M. and Shirley M. Simmons, and lived there until his family moved to Greensboro, North Carolina in 1969.

Shortly after, he enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country proudly for four years. Among other duties, he served as a crew chief on C-130s in Vietnam. Back stateside on a leave, he met Shirley Tuttle, the young lady who would become his bride. They married in 1975 after Ed’s time in the Air Force came to an end, and they lived and started their family in Greensboro. After settling down into the life of a family man, Ed earned an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Business Administration from Rockingham Community College where he graduated with honors.

Ed began a 32-year career in sales with Clearfield Cheese Company and went on to work for Seneca Foods, Sunshine Biscuits, and the Mennen Company. Most of those years, though, he was employed by Colgate-Palmolive as a District Broker Manager. He retired at the end of 2010 and became Shirley’s helper watching over the grandchildren.

Ed was a member of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church where he was a Sunday School money counter and a sound technician for worship and weddings in the sanctuary. He attended North Carolina Presbyterian Pilgrimage and continued to support that movement in various ways. Ed was also a member of Mint Hill Masonic Lodge #742 in Mint Hill. He enjoyed playing canasta with friends, reading, fishing, and telling funny stories to family and friends, many of which, on his own admission, were embellished a bit.

Ed’s survivors are his wife, Shirley, son Christopher Simmons (wife Kristina), daughter, Melissa Tamez (husband Reggie), grandson, Caleb Simmons, granddaughters, Kaitlyn Simmons and Caroline Tamez, brothers Don Simmons, Robert Simmons (wife Charlene), and Bryan Simmons (wife Michelle), and beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church, 11501 Bain School, Mint Hill, on October 23, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. followed by a one-hour visitation in the church courtyard, weather permitting.

Memorials may be made to the Capital Needs Fund of Philadelphia Presbyterian Church or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516.

The family requests if you have a special memory or story about Ed, please write it down and bring it to his service. There will be a place near the guest book to leave your memories. The family will turn these into a book they can enjoy for years to come. If you are not attending the service but have a memory to share, please send to [email protected].

The service will be live-streamed for those who cannot attend. The link will be available on this site the day of the service.