WILMINGTON — It is with a heavy heart that we announce that George Simmons, Jr., 63, of Wilmington, NC was called home to be with God on the evening of July 14th, 2022, while resting at home and surrounded by family.
Our dad was the closest thing to a perfect dad that any family could have ever been blessed with. Born on the 25th of February 1959 and raised in Wilmington, North Carolina he lived a happy life and made a home where he raised a family that he chose to be with.
The son of George W. Simmons, Sr. and Frances Mae Simmons, George went to area schools: Peabody, James B Dudley, Chestnut, D.C. Virgo, New Hanover High, and graduated from E.A. Laney in 1978. He excelled in sports throughout his youth playing basketball and wrestling.
He joined the Army on Sep 19th, 1979, as a Multichannel Communications Equipment Operator and was stationed overseas in Europe. Throughout his service he received many commendation letters and later continued his service in the reserves where attained the grade of E5.
A short while after coming home he began a relationship with our mother Connie Moosman and we were blessed with the most caring, compassionate, calm, and collected man that our family could have ever been blessed with. While raising us as his own he began a career in the driving and lumber industry starting with Federal Paper, 84 Lumber, Pelican Lumber, and finally with Builders First Source. Dad never turned down a chance to learn something new from logging, driving, loading, forklift operations, delivery manager, maintenance coordinator, safety supervisor, and above all a mentor too so many.
Dad did everything he could to ensure his family was safe and provided for. A stern voice followed by a stern hand when needed but always ready with a calm loving hug and words of encouragement and invaluable advice. From the very beginning we remember all of the family gatherings at one house or another. Dad would always have something good cooking and brought a smile to everyone’s face. It was only a few years ago that he passed on his famous bar-b-cue sauce which I quickly forgot. When asked he showed me again, and again I forgot. It wasn’t until the third time that I realized he never taught me the same thing twice. Dad always put love into everything that he did, no matter how aggravating it was at the time, his special ingredient was loving what he did not matter what it was. Everyday even now we look back on everything he did for us, and we are still learning from him.
George Simmons, Jr. was a loving, compassionate, faithful man of God. He was a husband, a father, and a brother. He was always willing to help and counsel. George was a good friend until the end. While we are deeply saddened that he is gone, we are happy he is no longer in pain and finally able to rest in heaven with his parents, his wife, and her mother Rae Hill. Daddy, please rest easy knowing that you did your job better than anyone ever could have. We pray that one day we will be together again. We all love you.
George is preceded in death by his wife Connie Moosman Simmons and is survived by his children and family to cherish his memories; Thomas and wife Angie Hinson, Melissa R. Sanders, Joseph and wife Ana Sanders, and 11 grandchildren including one special granddaughter Nevaeh G. Sanders. He is preceded in death by one brother George Wayne Simmons and survived by brother Richard Simmons and sister Reverend Barbara Simmons of Wilmington, NC; brother Eddie Thompson (Marguerite) of South Carolina.; and sister Victoria Wilcox of Tampa, Florida., and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
George Simmons, Jr., February 25th, 1959, to July 14th, 2022. Called home too soon for us but in perfect time with Gods plan.
Viewing and time to say goodbye will begin at 1pm followed by celebration of life services at 2pm on Saturday the 23rd of July at the Andrews Mortuary Valley Chapel, 4108 College Rd, Wilmington, NC 28412.
