Ralph Dee Simmons, age 99, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his daughters in San Antonio, Texas on November 28, 2020.  He was born on September 18, 1921 to William Maurice and Ellen Catherine (Peterson) Simmons in Spanish Fork, Utah and grew up on a small farm in nearby Lakeshore, Utah.  He graduated from Spanish Fork High School in 1939 and shortly after enlisted in the US Army at the beginning of World War II and served in the Army Air Corp until just after the war ended in October 1945.

Ralph met the love of his life Ruth Irene Woodson while serving in San Antonio and they married on May 21, 1945 in Richmond, Indiana.  After leaving the Army, the couple moved back to Spanish Fork where he began working and raising their family of 5 daughters.  They later moved to Lander, Wyoming while working for US Steel at the iron ore mine near South Pass, Wyoming

During his time in Lander, Ralph continued to focus on his family and enjoy the outdoor opportunities that Wyoming has to offer.  He loved his time outdoors hunting and fishing.  Later, during his time in Lander he picked up the game of golf and enjoyed playing it for years until the day he mistakenly hit a duck egg in a sand trap due to his failing eyesight and decided it was time to hang up his clubs.

A year after his retirement in 1984, he served a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with his wife in Carlsbad, New Mexico.  After their mission they returned to Lander but the snow and high altitude made it difficult for Ruth, so they moved back to the city where they met and lived the remainder of their lives in San Antonio.

Ralph is survived by his 5 daughters, Christine Niko (Loni), Nan Ellen AhYou, Vada Wilson, Lea Reid (Jeff), and Dee Jones (Daniel).  He is also survived by 23 grandchildren, 62 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Due to health concerns associated with large gatherings at this time, the family will hold a small service at Castle Ridge Mortuary at 10am Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Family and friends who would like to participate are welcome to join the service via the internet at https://youtu.be/rhjkjalhk1Y. Ralph will be buried next to his beloved wife at the Spanish Fork, Utah cemetery. A Memorial Service will also be held at the Walker Funeral Home in Spanish Fork, Utah, please refer to your invitation for date and time.

Family and friends are welcome to join the service via internet streaming here.

(Please note that the memorial will show you what time it will be showing in your time zone)