"I still miss you! You always made me smile or laugh. You are not only my brother-in-law, but a true friend and the most generous person I've ever known. Love you??"
In loving memory of
Michael Simmons
March 29, 1939 - February 7, 2017
Michael Simmons Mar. 29, 1939 - Feb. 7, 2017
Michael Simmons, 77, of Punta Gorda, Florida, died from a brain hemorrhage Tuesday, February 7th, 2017 at Bayfront Health Hospital.
Born on March 29th, 1939, in Scottsburg, Indiana, he was the son of Altas and Marion Dooley Simmons. He married Sally Montgomery in 1973 but later divorced. He is survived by four sisters--Margaret (Lloyd) Marnitz of Lexington, Kentucky, Dr. Juliana Simmons of Ellicott City, Maryland, Dr. Kathleen (Tom) Jones of Windsor, Colorado, Mary Ann (Jess) Etchinson of Ogleville, Indiana, and one brother--James (Michele) Simmons of Garland, Texas. He had 8 nephews, 6 nieces, 7 great-nephews, and 9 great-nieces. He was preceded in death by one brother, John, and both of his parents.
Michael graduated from Seymour High School in 1957 and Indiana State College (now University) in 1964. He began his multi-faceted career as a Biology Teacher at Arsenal
Technical High School in Indianapolis and teaching data processing at Indiana Vocational Technical College. For 13 years, Michael held a variety of positions with IBM Corporation, including Systems En- gineer, Marketing Representative, and Instruction Manager. Between1980-1995, other positions he held included: ('80-'84)Executive Vice President of American Fletcher National Bank (Indianapolis, IN); ('84 - '88) President of Fidelity Systems Company (Boston, MA); ('88 - '90) Executive VP of Bank of Ameri- ca's Systems Engineering Department, where he worked with a staff of 5,700 in nineteen countries (San Francisco, CA); ('90 - '93) Group Executive VP of Technology and Operations for the Bank of Bos- ton working with a staff of 3,800; ('93 - '95) President of M.S. Associates, Inc. consulting firm (Win- chester, MA). Michael finished his business career as president of Security Capital Group, Inc. (Santa Fe, NM).
Michael loved people and served on many boards where he was able to make connections. Through networking, he learned and shared many ideas. He was involved in community projects wherever he happened to be living. Honors he received included: Who's Who in Colleges & Universities, Outstand- ing Young Man of America, IBM Golden Circle Marketing Award, and Who's Who in Finance and Indus- try. He is in his high school's Hall of Fame and received an honorary Ph.D from Marian University (2010) as well as a Doctor of Humane Letters from Indiana State University. He jokingly said, "Now you can call me Dr. Dr. Simmons!"
His passion for cars started at an early age and continued until his death. He liked to buy and refurbish autos that were popular during key times of his life. He loved to watch NASCAR and entered/drove some of his own cars in local stock car races.
One legacy that he was very proud of is the Sycamore Tricycle Derby at Indiana State University. Michael and a few of his friends came up with the idea of the race to keep students from leaving cam- pus during Homecoming Weekend. It was started in 1963 and continues today on a beautiful track in front of the Michael Simmons Student Activities Center. A large planned gift by him to the ISU Founda- tion's March On! Campaign established a student team activity endowment with the goal of fostering leadership, communication, and teamwork.
Marian University in Indianapolis, where 4 of Michael's relatives graduated, has been the recipient of some of his largesse. His donations have helped upgrade the University's computer system, added to his mother's scholarship fund, and helped build The Simmons Family Room in the Student Center.
No matter where Michael went, he always wanted to "fix" things, whether it be cars, institutions, corpo- rations, towns, or people. When Hurricane Charlie devastated Punta Gorda, Michael worked with vari- ous people who had damage to their property to obtain settlements five times the initial offer from their insurance companies. He also help fund construction of aluminum ramps for the Charlotte Harbor Re-
gatta so disabled athletes had access to the docks and could participate in the World Disabled Sailing Paralympic Championships (Florida). A plaque honoring Michael is at the Laishley Park Marina.
Michael was truly a Renaissance Man and will be sorely missed. He donated 25% of his income to those in need for education, housing, and health services. In lieu of flowers, tax-deductible memorial gifts can be sent to The Michael Simmons Charitable Foundation, c/o Kathleen Jones, Trustee, 601 Locust St., Windsor, CO 80550, which will ensure that Michael's philanthropic commitments will continue.
A Memorial Mass and Reception will be held at Marian University (3200 Cold Spring Road, Indianapolis on Saturday, March 25, 2017 at 10:00 AM. Burial will take place in Seymour, Indiana at Riverview Cemetery on Saturday, March 25 at 4:00 PM.
Leppert Mortuary, Nora Chapel assisting with arrangements.
www.leppertmortuary.com to share a personal memory of Michael.
Tributes
"Mike Simmons, Mike Hall, and I got into all sorts of low-level mischief when we were in Shields HS. He was a great guy and loads of fun. After I left town for Purdue and the Marine Corps, Mike and my dad developed a good friendship. Dad supplied him with camping gear now and then.The world needs more like Mike Simmons. "
"I want to extend our deepest sympathy to the Simmons family. I was blest to have the Simmons family live across the street from me in Seymour. We always had so much fun with lots of memories. Sarah Krumme Shade."
"Michael and I reconnected in 2008 at the Seymour Senior High School Hall of Fame ceremonies. After that we kept in touch by email. I have fond memories of growing up next door to the Simmons family and was glad to be his friend later in life. I am so sorry that we've lost him. Connie VonDielingen-McCoy"
"Mike was bigger than life. A good guy, doing good things . A Bank friend, I have known him since his IBM days. A friend and I had lunch with him last year in Indy and we had a good time remembering the "old" days. He would say he lived a full life...with more to do. His legacy will live on. Deanna Lane"
"Always have a grin when thinking about Mike and the rest of the Seymour class of 1957!!! We had a great visit at the 55th class reunion few years ago. It took two Studebakers to get him thru school; gas was 25 cents a gal. then so we could cruise for cheap. His record speaks for itself!!! Proud to be able to call him a pal!!! Tom McGinley"