Randolph Lee Simmons

Randolph L. Simmons, 70, passed away February 1, 2004. He was born on February 6, 1933 in Bluefield West Virginia to Raleigh and Ruth Simmons. Known to his family and friends as Randy, and Dad to his children, he graduated from Bluefield High School in 1950 and subsequently joined the US Air Force and served his country as an Intelligence Analyst NCO. Upon his release from Active Duty in 1954, he attended the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley CO and earned a BA Degree in English and History. He was married to the former June E. Furnell in 1955, a marriage that produced four fine children. Upon graduation, Randy taught school in Colorado in the K-12 public schools, and in the early 1960's was hired by the University of Denver as Director of Development, subsequently raising millions for DU. Based on his success, he was honored in 1964 as Young Man of Denver by the Denver Chamber of Commerce. He subsequently worked in senior positions for the Robert Johnson Corporation in California and New York, the Urban Coalition in Washington D.C., and the Air Force Academy Foundation in Colorado Springs, Colorado raising substantial amounts of funding for the non-profit organizations. Randy was a fine father, ensuring that his children were reared with good education and sporting opportunities, and a good family environment to which to grow and enjoy childhood. Randy is survived by his former wife, June E. Dodd; sons, Randolph L. Simmons Jr., Major David K. Simmons, Colorado Air National Guard, Daniel E. Simmons, and Deanne E. Spencer; by his brothers Edward, Albert, Roy; and his sisters Marcella, Donna, Patricia. A memorial service will be conducted on Friday, February 6th at 2 p.m. at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter, 1700 West 10th Ave., Broomfield Colorado, and a funeral service will be held later in April 2004 in Bluefield, West Virginia.