Hey boss, 
I miss the hope and optimism you always inspired, but most of all I miss our stories. You are always in my thoughts and heart. Miss you boss

Just saying I miss you boss. You taught me how to be the best. Thank you for never giving up on me and always being there.

Hey Boss,
No special occasion for writing today. I just wanted to let you know I'm thinking about you and you are missed daily. I did some tweaking on some of the poems I wrote you. They all seem to flow much better now. I guess that all I really wanted to say is I miss you. 

Love always,
Danny

Hey Boss,
There aren't as many fireworks filling the sky this year, but you are still at the forefront of my mind. I did what we always did best. I dove into a situation without thinking, and I get to hope it all works out. I took my content exam today so I can become a teacher. I know that would make you proud, but, now, I get to see if I'm good enough. That scares me. 

I wish you were here for encouragement and to push me forward. I miss you, Boss.

Love always, 
Danny   

Hey Boss,

When we met, I was just an all-talk kid with nothing to back it up. You saw through that to a potential I couldn’t have imagined I had. It made me push myself hard to ensure I never disappointed you. You were an extraordinary person of a rare breed… and that is how you were with everyone.

It was brought to my attention that I had let that feeling go and become complacent in life. I didn’t want to be like that anymore. I wanted to make you proud. I don’t know if I accomplished that goal, but I’ve not ceased trying. 

I went from high school drop-out to college graduate. I’ve done writing and acting. I’m a published author and poet. I’ve partnered with people to create a growing business that makes people happy and creates memories, a passion nurtured by countless “remember when” talks we shared.

I've suffered some setbacks that make me feel like I’m just a grown-up version of that all-talk kid, but I surrounded myself with people that remind me of you, people who remind me how far I’ve come and push me to be more.

I’m not finished by a long shot. I’ll be taking my teaching certification soon, and, hopefully, I can make as big a difference in an all-talk kid’s life as you made in mine. I know that would make you proud. I just wanted to tell you the impact you had in my life and that even your passing makes me want to be more. You are missed, and you are remembered.

I love you, Boss,
Danny 



Happy Birthday, Boss.
I miss your laugh and that firework's optimism that kept me convinced next year would be better. I miss you, boss. Things are a little less bright without you.

Love always,
Danny

Hey Boss,
This time of year hits a bit harder than most. People are out trying to get their stands cleaned up for fireworks season, so it's hard not to think of the fun we had doing the same.
Today, I was thinking about the time we were carrying a stand early in the morning. We had gotten nearly no sleep the night before. It took most of an hour to get it loaded on the trailer because of how slow we were moving. 
We started down the road, you and I in the front and our two helpers in the back seat. It wasn't long before exhaustion caught up to us, and all four of us were asleep.
The loud thud woke us, thinking that someone was desperate to pass. As you eased to the side of the road, we watched while the stand that we hauled slid past.
 We had forgotten to strap it down when we left.
It took less than five minutes for us to get the stand back on the trailer while traffic waited, and the adrenaline kept us awake for the rest of the trip.
The best part was hearing you laugh every time you told the story of the day we were passed by our own fireworks stand.
I miss that laugh, Boss. I miss you.
Happy Father's Day,
Danny

Hey Boss,
Not really much to say that I haven't said a thousand times before. I miss you, Boss. The world is a darker place without you in it.

Love you,
Danny 

Hey Boss,
Another year has gone, but your memory still holds strong. Not a day goes by that I don't remember our stories or miss your laugh. I've made a fair share of mistakes, but I'm doing what I can to make you proud when we see each other again.

Love you, Boss,
Danny

Hey boss,
It's one of the times of year that I miss you most. The stands have opened their shudders and the sky fills with the sounds of the fireworks. I have been working on my poetry and I wrote this one for you. I miss you, boss. Hope you like it. 

Danny

Happy Birthday, Boss. Some of the best times of my life happened because you were at my side. I could ask for no better friend or father, and I'm still telling our stories. You will always be loved, you will always be missed, and you will never be forgotten.

Danny

Hey boss,
Happy 4th. I miss you always but more this week than most. I wish you could have been there. 
Love you, boss.
Danny

Happy Father's Day,  Boss. Miss you always.

Danny

Hey Boss, 
Another year has come and gone, and I tried to think of something poetic. The words escape me. Truth be told, they could not do justice to the place you hold in my memory. Not a day passes that I don't think of you and the adventures we shared.
It is said that a mentor helps you avoid trouble, but a friend stands beside you until it passes. Everyone should be so lucky as to find the friend I found in you. I miss you, Boss. Thank you for giving me some of my best stories.  

Danny

Hey Boss,
Happy New Year. I went to a party for a massive fireworks display. The host was an old hand at it, and we traded stories for a good while. I told him my favorite part of every season was sitting with you on the day after, hearing about how much better next year would be. That instilled an optimism in me that I can never thank you for enough. 
Love you always, Boss, and always miss you. But you're never more than a memory away.

Danny

Happy birthday, boss. Love you always, always miss you.

Hey boss,
Happy 4th of July. Made some memories today, eating and lighting the sky with friends. I told every one of our stories I could think of. I think of you often and talk about the craziness we shared every chance I get. I Just wanted you to know how much you are missed.
Love boss,
Danny

Happy Father's Day Boss. 
Although I always miss you, it's times like this where it hits the hardest. I wish I had told you more often how much having you around meant. Love you always, always miss you.

Hey boss,
Losing you messed me up pretty good. You were a good father and better friend. It's never the same without you here, but each year gets a little easier. I am working hard to make you proud. Love you always and always miss you.

Happy New Year, Boss. Love you always, and always miss you.

You remain at the heart of the fondest of my memories. Happy birthday, boss. I miss you.

Hey, boss. 

Happy Father's Day. You remain thought of often and always loved. I miss you always.

Hey boss. It has been a year since you passed, and you are missed as much now as ever. I was thinking about New Year's Eve, 1999. 11:58 before the dreaded y2k, you and I were the only ones around with no customers in sight. We were sitting in the fireworks stand and you told me that if we only had two minutes left, there was no one you would rather go out next to. The feeling has always been mutual. I love you boss. Always. Thank you for always being there.

I can never thank you enough for the many things you did for me. You helped shape who I am. More important, you made me proud of who I am. I miss you more than words can express, but I'll always keep your memory in heart. Love you, boss

Ray has been a really great friend to us. From the time Penny met him working at the Pizza Inn in Lindale to firework stands, the Pine Tree Restaurant, and then several chicken stands! Ray was the greatest and we will really miss him.
Bobby, Penny, and Michael Steel
Dan, Jinger, Joy, and Krystian Johnson

Ray Its Always Been Fun , RIP My Brother The Heavens Opened Up With Fireworks On  The 29th  As We Had a Heavy Heat May Prayers Be With The Family Dennis

Estol Ray was my first cousin and while I haven't seen him much since my younger days, he holds a special place in my heart.  He always had a kind smile and friendly face and made my mom and Aunt Vera feel special.

Words can not express how much my dad means to me. He taught me to see the best in others. Often helping strangers and anyone in need. He was always there to protect me and make me laugh. I was always my happiest when he was around to make me smile. Most of all he believed in me, even when I didn't believe in myself. I will forever remember him and all of the things I have learned from him. I know we will see each other again one day.

Ray was always all smiles. I will remember him for the rest of my life and I know he is at the feet of Jesus right now, probably telling a joke! We love you and will miss you, Brother Simmons.

In loving memory of a wonderful person. We will love you and miss you always.

Ray loved his job and he cared about the kids.  He was a gentle soul.  We will miss him.

We all loved Ray at Hallsville Intermediate.  He was a very special person and he will be greatly missed.

OBITUARY

Estol Ray Simmons Jr.

October 20, 1956 – May 29, 2016

Tyler Memorial Funeral Home - Cemetery and Mausoleum

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