Edward L. Simmons of Lenexa, Ks., passed away peacefully on October 7th, 2024. He had been with all his family in the days prior and everyone got to tell him how much they loved and cherished him. A Visitation will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 18th. Good Shepherd Church is located at 12800 W. 75th Street in Shawnee, Kansas. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. Immediately after Mass there will be a luncheon provided at the Church.
Ed was the son of Carl Burk and Mary Elizabeth Simmons of Monroe City, Missouri. His brother Carl Richard (Marilyn) preceded him in death and Marilyn resides in St. Paul Minnesota. Ed’s sister, Sue Ann Thomas (John) live in Palmyra, Mo. His sister-in-law Kathy (Hank) resides in Lenexa. Hank preceded Ed in death. Ed and the love of his life, his wife, Angie, have 3 children: Julie (Bob)with 3 children- Nick, Zach and Natalie; Kim (Chris) with 3 children- Parker, Aidan, and Garrett and Ted (Shawna) with 3 children- Lilly, Lyla, and Jake. All 3 children and 9 grandchildren are lucky enough to live within 30 minutes of their parents/grandparents.
Ed graduated from Holy Rosary High School in Monroe City in 1959 and attended the University of Missouri where he graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering. While in college, he served as the President of the Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers and was a member of Chi Epsilon and Pi Mu Honor Mathematics fraternity. He was also a licensed engineer over the lifetime of his career. His first job was in Louisville, KY, with American Air Filter Co. and it was here where he met his beautiful wife, Angela. They married in 1966 and then moved to Columbia, Mo., where Ed earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Engineering. Upon receiving that degree, Ed began work with a gentleman, Woody Haynes, in Oklahoma City for 3 years and then to Kansas City. He served as President of Haynes Equipment Co. for many years helping cities to engineer and build water treatment facilities. He retired in 2000 to allow more time for travelling and enjoying his grandkids.
Although he had a very accomplished career, the priority in Ed’s life was always his family. He and Angie have a love affair that has lasted 60 years. They have 3 children that adore them and 9 grandchildren who they have shared so many wonderful times with. All 9 grandchildren have attended Good Shepherd for grade school and St. James Academy for high school, so PaPa was a part of so many great memories from school plays, all school Masses, basketball, tennis, volleyball, baseball, swimming and soccer games just to name a few. He loved being a part of their lives and we are so very Blessed to share all those times with him. We loved our Sunday family dinners, birthday celebrations, vacations to the Ozarks and Big Cedar. PaPa established the Simmons annual Easter Egg Hunt in 1988 for his 3 kids and I don’t think a year has been missed since. He spends so much time in the planning and organizing the details. It has been and will continue to be a highlight for the family and for the grandkids for years to come to celebrate him and the love he had for his family. He will be so missed but we are so very lucky to have had him in our lives. He leaves such an enduring legacy.
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