Harold G. Simmons, Jr. Obituary (1946

Harold George Simmons, Jr., age 74, of Cedar Springs, passed away early Sunday morning, August 16, 2020 at his home under the loving care of his family and Spectrum Health Hospice. The son of Ida L. (Oliver) & Harold George Simmons, Sr., he was born on August 5, 1946 in Grand Rapids. Prior to his death, he was helped by several friends and relatives. Following his graduation from Creston High School, he was inducted into the United States Army during the Vietnam War and while serving Fort Sill, he married Sandra Jane Williams on May 27, 1966 in Lawton, Oklahoma and he was later stationed with his wife in Furth City, Germany. Together they raised four children and enjoyed 54 years of marriage. After his honorable discharge, they made their home in Grand Rapids where Harold worked at Purolator as a driver and Rapistan where he retired from after 30-plus years of service. Harold loved Racing. He raced Berlin when it was dirt, taking his children when they were young. With his help his daughter raced quarter midgets, and his son raced a variety of cars from Street Stocks, Pro Stocks, Sportsman Class, Limited Late Model, Modifieds, and more. He also enjoyed building race cars, making models of race cars, going to swap meets, listening to oldies, spending time with his family whom he always expressed a tremendous amount of pride for, and in the last two years, he enjoyed playing Cards Against Humanity with his family. He was a member of the UAW Local 1485. He was preceded in death by his parents; and two sisters, Flora Watson and Mildred Brown. Surviving are his wife, Sandra J. Simmons of Cedar Springs; their children, Tammy & Eddie Link of Kentwood, Kimberly & Joseph Young of Grand Rapids, Penny & Randy Itter of Rockford, Todd & Julie Simmons of Sunfield; sixteen grandchildren, Chrissy & Dariush Simmons of Tehran, Iran, Ariel & Michael Chatman of Sparta, Randy Itter Jr. of Rockford, Britteny Itter of Rockford, Bradley Young of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Nolan & Lacey Young of Fort Walton, Florida, Emily Link of Kentwood, Aaron Itter of Rockford, Mary Young of Huntington, Indiana, Christopher Itter of Rockford, Nathan Link of Kentwood, Travis Link of Kentwood, and Amber Simmons of Sunfield; three great-grandchildren, Eric, Aryan, and Arash; brothers and sisters, Margaret & Robert Mol of Grand Rapids, Keith Simmons of Grand Rapids, and Dorothy Simmons of Grand Rapids; siblings-in-law, Stanley Williams of Lake Odessa, Dan & Vaughn Williams of Grandville, and Dennis & Nancy Williams of Rockford; and several nieces and nephews. Honoring Harold's wishes, a private celebration of his life is being planned and burial, with military honors, will be at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta. Instead of flowers, Harold would have appreciated contributions in his memory to Spectrum Health Hospice or to Alcoholics Anonymous (as he celebrated 18 years of sobriety).