Cleo Gordon Simmonds, 83 and resident of Prairie Village, passed away on July 29, 2019. Cremation is planned with a memorial gathering to be held at a later date. Born in the home on May 13, 1936, to Ralph Clinton Simmonds and Vera Loraine (White) in Pretty Prairie, Kansas, Cleo grew up in and around Hutchinson, Kansas. After graduating from Hutchinson H.S. he eventually attended and graduated from Wichita State University in 1958. Cleo attended Wentworth Military Academy for one year during high school, and participated in R.O.T.C. at WSU which led to serving six months of active duty then several years in the Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Captain prior to discharge.
Cleo is survived by two wonderful children: Adriane (Richard Meeks) and Corey (Susan) and his granddaughter. He is also survived by his warmhearted companion of many years, Dorothy Haegele.
Early careers, primarily finance, led him to positions in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas before returning to Wichita for several years. In 1984 he relocated to Kansas City to work in the trust department at Commerce Bank, soon settling into his home in Prairie Village where he lived for over 30 years. He also completed his C.F.A. credentials during this time. After retiring from Commerce, he began to find and pursue his passions. He enjoyed travel, leading to his participation on the Prairie Village Sister City Committee, which developed a special connection to Dolyna, Ukraine. He later started and owned an online business selling model train supplies and train-related books and periodicals. Cleo joined the Kansas City MG Car Club after acquiring his "dream car," a 1948 MG TC, which always seemed to be just one spare part from running like a top.
Cleo will be remembered for being outgoing, curious, thoughtful, a good neighbor, and having a passion for arts and culture.
In lieu of flowers or casseroles, memorial contributions may be made to KCUR.org or kansaspublicradio.org/support/
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