John "Jack" Randle Simmons

John Randle “Jack” Simmons of Austin, Texas, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, March 22, 2015 at the age of 98. He was born October, 23, 1916 in Cedar Creek, Bastrop County, Texas, the son of Silas Taylor Simmons and Lannie Davidson Simmons.

On December 24, 1937, Jack married the love of his life, Lucille Sharp. Their loving marriage of 73 years ended with Lucille’s passing in March, 2011.

After a brief stint working in the oil fields in Freer, Texas; Jack went to work for the LCRA. His employment at the LCRA was interrupted in order to serve his country in the navy as a Seaman Second Class. He was elevated to a rank of Chief Petty Officer while on base to facilitate his assignment of training new recruits. After military discharge, Jack returned to the LCRA; working in the Kerrville District Transmissions Department for twenty–two years while living and raising his family in Comfort, Texas. Jack then transferred to the Austin office to head up the Right-Of-Way Department. During his fifteen years in Austin, he and his team would acquire all the property for the Fayetteville Power Plant Project, as well as other highline right-of-ways. During this time, Jack and Lucille lived in the small community of High Grove near his birthplace of Cedar Creek. In 1979, Jack retired after 37 years of service to the LCRA.

In 1963, the Comfort Chamber of Commerce recognized Jack’s tireless community service by naming him “Outstanding Citizen”. He earned this award by contributing to the community as President and Trustee of the Comfort Volunteer Fire Dept., Trustee and Chairman of the Board of Stewards of the Gaddis Memorial Methodist Church, and member of the Comfort Independent School Board for ten years (of which he served as president for six years). During this time, the school grew by incorporating the surrounding communities and went from playing 6-man football to 12-man football. His love was announcing play-by-play of ball games. He announced every ball game he could; little league, softball, football, even the Hill Country Adult Baseball League.

While living and farming in High Grove, Bastrop County, he joined the 5 Points Volunteer Fire Dept. He and Lucille also helped start the High Grove Cemetery Association in order to protect and preserve the two-room school house and community cemetery.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lucille Sharp Simmons; mother, Lannie Simmons; father, Silas Simmons; sister, Mary Frances Morton; brothers, Leslie Simmons and Bill Simmons; sister-in-law, Effie Sharp; brother-in-law Claude Sharp, and many friends.

He is survived by his daughter, Carrie Sue Judson of Austin, TX; granddaughter, Kathryn Judson of San Francisco CA; granddaughter, Susan Polk and husband John of Austin, TX, numerous nieces and nephews and special friends.

Jack’s memorial service will be held at 3pm on Thursday March 26, 2015 at Cook-Walden Funeral Home; 6100 N. Lamar.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to an organization of your choice.