Perry Marshall Simmons

Perry Marshall Simmons, 89, a long-term Baytown businessman and a public servant at the state, county, and local level, entered into eternity on Sunday, February 14, 2010. He was born on May 24, 1920, in Lake, Mississippi, near the Capital of Jackson. After graduation from high school (class of 1938) in Columbus, Mississippi, he joined his parents in Baytown in May, 1938.

Prior to World War II, he attended the University of Texas in Austin and the University of Mississippi where he was a member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. At OLE MISS, he was the leader of a campus dance band called ""THE OLE MISS COLLEGIANS.""

After Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy as an Apprentice Seaman and later advanced to a commissioned officer (Lt. j.g.). Aboard the LST 709, he was involved in five invasions with the U.S. Seventh Fleet in liberating the Philippine Islands. He was awarded the Philippine Liberation Medal.

He graduated from the University of Texas in Austin, with a Bachelor of Journalism degree in 1948. He returned to Baytown to operate the family's Blue Arrow Caf� and Simmons Hotel. He ran the family business for twenty years until it was destroyed by fire in December 1968.

With his hotel training, he became the Manager of the Ramada Inn of Baytown for three years and then joined Governor Dolph Briscoe's staff as the Deputy Director for the Governor's Committee on Aging (1973-75). When Texas received $4.7 million to set up senior citizen centers, a place for those over 65 years old to receive nutritious meals and socialize, Simmons was responsible for the centers' operations and supervised conditions, menus, and activities. He then returned to Baytown as Office Manager of Wismer Distributing Company for six years (1975-1981).

He was elected to the Baytown City Council in 1980 until 1989. At nearly the same time (April 1981) he served fourteen years for then County Judge Jon Lindsay as an Administrative Aide. The highlight of his political career was in 1993 when the West Main Bridge over Goose Creek Stream was named in his honor in recognition of his efforts to get Harris County funding for the replacement bridge project. He retired from Harris County in April (1995).

A member of the Baptist faith, he also was a charter member of the Goose Creek Country Club and the West Baytown Kiwanis Club (defunct). He was a Life Member of the Texas Ex-Students Association as well as a loyal life time member of Sigma Chi Fraternity. Governor Briscoe made him an ""ADMIRAL"" in the Texas Navy. He was a member of the NAVY LEAGUE OF THE UNITED STATES. In 1983, he was Foreman on the Harris County Grand Jury, impaneled by the 180th District Court, that handled over 1200 cases. He was a past director of the LEE COLLEGE FOUNDATION and was

an active member in the Baytown/West Chambers County Economic Development foundation for over ten years.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife of 55 years, Bernice, and a sister, Sarah Helen Simmons Anderson. His survivors are two daughters, Betsy Simmons Furlow and her husband Robert of Blanco, Texas and Sally Simmons Firestone of Austin, Texas. He also has four grandchildren: Christi Smykal, twins Tucker and Ty Furlow, and Russell Perry Firestone. Great grandchildren are Adaline Rose Furlow and Tristan Hill Furlow. Baytown nephews include R. J., Lenard, and Mark and his wife Sherry Hlanak, and two nieces and two nephews of his sister's family, Helen Ann Anderson, Martha Corbridge, Fred Perry Anderson and Joe Anderson.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Navarre Funeral Home with the funeral ceremony following at Navarre Funeral Home, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 2:00 o'clock with Ty Furlow, grandson, officiating. Eulogies will be given by Hon. Beverly Kaufman (Harris County Clerk) and Bobby Rountree (former Baytown City Manager).

Pallbearers are Tom Gentry, Larry Mankin, Harold Lynn Scarborough, retired Sheriff Major Ken Berry, Wayne Smith, and Mike Shields.

Honorary Pallbearers are Herb Boggess, Art Jiannine, Bill Mitchell, Wallace Brunson, Jon Lindsay, Bob Merchant, W. T. Jones, Fritz Lanham, Bitsy Davis, George Walmsley, Wayne Gray, Frank Neil Angel, and Sigma Chi brothers, Jim Ferris, Lan

Williams, Fred Beard, Jake Propst, and Lawrence Reilly.

His life's credo was in his self-composed motto:

""A man needs two things:

To look forward with Hope�

To look back with pride.""

The family wishes to express thanks to Dr. Sarma Challa and Dr. Louis B. Hughes of Baytown, Texas for their dedication and concern. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make contributions can send them to Sterling Municipal Library, Mary E. Wilbanks Avenue, Baytown, Texas, 77520 or Odyssey Hospice of Austin, 4201 W. Parmer Lane, Ste. 100, Bldg. C, Austin, Texas 78727.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Drive, Baytown, TX 77521, 281-422-8111.