Benjamin Carl Simmons passed peacefully to his Heavenly home on April 21, 2011. He was home, surrounded by family who lovingly cared for him during his last days.
Carl was the sixth of eight children born to Martin and Mary Simmons in Clinton on Nov. 23, 1934. His father was one of 10 children born in Clinton to Jacob and Halvorine Simmons.
He is preceded in death by his parents, sisters Margaret, Mary Louise and infant Caroline; brother Stanley and grandson Timothy Roth. He is survived by his wife of
56 years, Ethel; brothers
Rev. Martin (Lois) Simmons, Roy (Marilyn) Simmons and sister Barbara (Dan) Kyllo; children Don (Suzy) Simmons, Kathy (Peter) Roth, Kenon (Sherri) Simmons, Lynette (Chris) Gallagher and Loren (Jeni) Simmons; grandchildren Emily (Ryan) Brotherton, Ben (Anne) Simmons, Luke and Caleb Roth, Brandon, Carly and Taylor Simmons, Ashley (Travis) Van Overbeke, Katelyn Gallagher, Jacob, Samantha and Audrey Simmons; great-grandchildren twins Evie and Ella Brotherton, Katherine Simmons and baby girl Van Overbeke due in July; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Carl graduated from Langley High School in 1952 and Edison Technical School in 1955. He married his high school sweetheart, Ethel Knaplund, on April 17, 1955. They were blessed with five children.
His relationship with God was the most important in Carl’s life. He loved his church family and had many close friends in the community. He was a charter member of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church of Langley, where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday school and served as a trustee and elder for many years.
He served as a volunteer fireman for 50 years at the Clinton station, and was an original member of the rescue squad. He enjoyed his time on the fire department and considered his service a way to contribute to the community.
Carl had many occupations. He was a truck mechanic, a TV repairman and assistant at Knaplund hardware, a building contractor, a plumber and glass glazier. In 1968, he started his own company, Simmons Glass. His son, Kenon, took over the business in 1996, and Carl enjoyed working part-time.
In 1999, Carl’s heart was damaged by a virus. His prognosis was bleak, but being a fighter and with the help of modern medicine and skilled doctors, he enjoyed many more years. In November 2008 he became a part of the heart-pump trial program at the University of Washington Medical Center.
Carl loved to travel and enjoyed three overseas trips as well as many journeys around the U.S., most with at least one or two grandkids coming along. For six winters, he and Ethel traveled in their fifth wheel to Arizona, where they loved spending time with his brothers and sisters.
His happiest moments were spent with his family. He loved each one unconditionally and always talked about how blessed he was.
The family would like to thank Hospice of the Northwest, cardiac care at the Everett clinic and Providence Hospital and the wonderful staff at the UW Medical Center. Special thanks to the heart-pump coordinators for their care and support. We also appreciated the support of our church family and friends throughout the community.
Memorial gifts may be given to the Everett Gospel Mission, PO Box 423, Everett, WA 98206, or a youth program at the church of your choice. A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday,
April 30 at the C&MA Church of Langley. Arrangements are provided by Visser Funeral Home.
