Luther "Jack" Simmons

Luther “Jack” Compton Simmons, Jr., 79, of Blue Grass died Friday, October 15, 2004 at Shenandoah Valley Health Care Center. He was born December 9, 1924 in Crabbottom, a son of the late Luther C. Sr. and Willie Louise Pence Simmons.

He was united in marriage on July 5, 1971 to Mary Catherine Smith a daughter of the late Albert and Mary Rexrode Smith.

Mr. Simmons was a graduate of Blue Grass High School and the Fishersville Rehabilitation Center Business School. He spent most of his life in the Blue Grass Valley. He served with the Second Division (Indian Head) of the U.S. Army during World War II and was involved in the military campaigns at Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland, receiving several medals including the Combat Infantry Badge and Purple Heart.

Mr. Simmons was a self-employed livestock farmer. He was a member of Blue Grass United Methodist Church, Virginia Farm Bureau, Disabled American Veterans and Blue Grass Ruritan Club, where he had served as president, vice president, secretary, zone governor and director.

His wife Mary Simmons, a sister Nancy Swecker and a brother Kenton K. Simmons preceded him in death.

Two brothers, Eugene Douglas Simmons of Stuarts Draft and Carl Lee Simmons of Blue Grass and a sister, Charlotte Schooler of Blue Grass and a number of nieces and nephews, survive him.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Tuesday, October 19, 2004 at Blue Grass United Methodist Church by the Rev. Jack Schooler, the Rev. Charles Schooler and the Rev. Andre Crummett.

Burial will be in the Hightown Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Wilton Simmons, Carl Stuart Simmons, Benjamin Schooler, Lucas Schooler, Brent Arbogast, Don Ferrel, Kenny Leonard and Eddie Varner.

Honorary pallbearers will be George Smith, the Rev. Richard Gibson, the Rev. Elwood Crick, George Swecker, James Marshall, Jacob Hevener, Dr. Thaine Billingsley and members of the Blue Grass Ruritan Club.

The family will receive friends from 7-8:30 p.m., Monday at Obaugh Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Highland Medical Center, P.O. Box 490, Monterey, Va. or Highland County Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 268, Monterey, Va. 24465.