Jimmy Simons, age 75, of Poplar, MT, passed away, with his family by his side, on Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at the Northeast Montana Health Services – Poplar Hospital, after a long illness.
He was born to Frances Ellen (Honek) and Fosco Garfield Simons on April 12, 1935 in Brockton, MT. He attended school in Poplar and completed the 7th grade.
Jim married Mary Ellen Anderson, the mother of their two sons, Jimmy and Dennis Simons. They were married for 22 years.
On August 13, 1981, he then married his best friend, Mary Lou Hagadone. Jim served in the Army Reserve, in Plentywood, for years. In his younger years, he worked at a local gas station, the City of Poplar, and then Murphy Oil, until his retirement. He was also a member of the Poplar Volunteer Fire Department, retiring after 20 years of service.
Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing, camping, four-wheeling, and all things outdoors. He also enjoyed his cars, fixing lawn mowers, and making bikes for neighborhood children. He was proud to take his “Cars” to car shows, which he won many awards for, and had fun driving them in the local parades. He enjoyed watching his grandchildren’s sports events, loved playing with the great grandchildren, and loved to make someone laugh.
He will always be remembered for his funny sense of humor, his teasing ways, picking wild flowers for his wife, his caring ways, the love he had for his family, and the pride he had for his little red car, and the blue Pontiac car.
Jim is preceded in death by his parents; three brothers; three sisters; adopted son, Alvin Eagle (JR Simons); grandson, Maurice Morsette; and his “best friend” Tiny.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Lou of Poplar; sons Jimmy Lee, and Dennis (Farrell) Simons, both of Poplar; a step-daughter Debi Long Hair, of Rapid City, SD; adopted children (Grandchildren) Nathelle (Jason) Frederick, Michael (Brittany) Long Hair, Maureen (Bruce) Nordwick, Vincent Long Hair, and Jennifer Long Hair, all of Poplar; grandchildren, Andrea (Walkin) Brown, Antoinette Simons, Roxanne Morsette, Todd Simons and Ashley Moran all of Poplar; great-grandchildren, Mia & Jase Frederick, Morgen & Braelyn Nordwick, Kaiden Long Hair, and Cante Brown, all of Poplar. A special nephew Ronald Forest, of Seattle, WA; sister, Geneva Krotz, of AZ; many brother-in-laws and sister-in-laws, and extended family.
A memorial service will be held 10 a.m. Monday, September 27, 2010 at the St. John’s Lutheran Church in Poplar. Inurnment will take place at a later date.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.