John Simmons

On April 6, 1950, in Elk City, OK, John Thomas Simmons was born to Waymond Billie Simmons. They called him Whistle. He lived in Carter, OK, until he was 5. The family then moved to Borger, TX, and when John was 12 they moved to Fritch, TX.

At age 13 John trusted the Lord Jesus as his Savior, and became a charter member of First Christian Church in Fritch, TX.

John and Karen met on September 4, 1966. They were married on his 18th birthday in 1968 and over the next eight years God gave them two daughters.

In June 1968 John was accepted into the electrical apprenticeship. In September 1972 he became a journeyman electrician and in 1983 he became a master electrician. He and Karen formed Simmons Electric, where they worked side by side for 31 years. During this time they were also blessed with four grandsons, two great grandchildren, and have two great grandchildren on the way.

Johns love for the Lord and his desire to see souls saved, led him to become a Gideon. Whether he was in the hospital, at a restaurant, or any other opportunity he had, he would share the Lords salvation and give them a New Testament.

John is a member of Chaparral Hills Baptist Church, Gideons International, Pioneer Gun Collectors, and Amarillo Rifle and Pistol Club, the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association.

A celebration of life service will be held at 2pm Friday at Chaparral Hills Baptist Church in Amarillo, Pastor Alan Burkhalter, officiating. Memorials may be made to Gideons International.

John will lie in state Thursday from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm at Schooler Funeral Home located at I 27 and Georgia in Amarillo. Services are under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Borger.