Robert James Simons

Robert James Simons passed away on Friday, July 18th 2025, with his family close by his side. His last moments were immersed in love and prayer. It was very peaceful, almost defying the occasion. We are all grateful to God for his prevailing grace on the Simons family, yet again. He is so good to us all.

Bob was well known for his generosity to all, for fathering so many who crossed his path, and his humor and wit unharmed by sophistication. Never looking much for convenience, instead he took on adventure wherever he could, and so many times when he obviously shouldn't. It may be no wonder he outlived three wives. Most of his days were spent working hard for his community, his church, and his family; but he was never afraid to cut a week short, hitch up his boat and drag anyone within reach out to go fishing. He had an incredible way of making us all wonder, just for a moment, why we ever really needed anything else. He was rarely beautiful, but somehow always on his feet. He was a caveman, a handyman, a family man, a senior commander, a missionary, an outdoorsman, and so much more. He refused to be defined, he defied any stereotype, but he was as free a man as I have ever known; and now he certainly is.

He leaves in his wake a plethora of stories, almost legends: of building schools, scuba diving, academic camps and unruly bears, organized crime, missing hikers, missing fingers, missing appointments, abandoned mines, the Maranatha House, a little schoolteacher, Grape Chapel (not a typo), the Chiricahuas, South Africa, at least half of Mexico, and on and on and on...almost forever. But when asked about the most important thing in all of life, his answer was easy, "Knowing God."

Take heed ladies and gentleman, take heed.

He is survived by his children Michael Simons, Christy Punnoose, Jonathan and Becca Simons, Melinda and Chris Chibwe, and his stepson Eric and Jessica Jennings, as well as his grandchildren Ashton, William, Carter, Jordan, Kyan, Carolina, Benjamin, Eliamma, Sadie, Kelvin, Serena, Jayden, Kaley, Robbie, Alexis, his sister Susan and Dennis DeMara and their children Rachel, Nadine, Rebecca and Joey.