Individual Details

MSGT Alfred Leo Simmons, Sr. from Little Rock passed away Friday October 12, 2012 at the age of 96.
He was born in Halstead, MS on August 17, 1916.
On August 17, 1936, Mr. Simmons road a boxcar to St. Louis, MO to join the U.S. Army on his 20th birthday. From there he traveled to New York where he boarded a U. S. transport ship and sailed through the Panama Canal to Guam and the Philippines. While in the Philippines he marched the 80 mile corridor that would later become famous for The Bataan Death March to help in the construction of Camp O'Donnell. He served as a personal honor guard to General Douglas MacArthur and General Dwight D. Eisenhower.
After Mr. Simmons enlistment ended in the U.S. Army, he reenlisted in the USAF. He attended flight school in 1941; and received his pilot's license at Craig Air Force Base in Selma, Alabama. He served in the 153rd Air Transport during WWII where he received the American Defense Service Medal, the American Theatre Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. From 1948 through 1949, he served in the Berlin Airlift for which he received a citation. During the Korean War he served as a flight engineer flying into Shanghai and Korea. Throughout his military carrier he worked on everything from small cubs, B-24's, B-29's and other WWII planes to C-130's and other jet aircraft. After 23 years of military service he retired in 1959, and opened Simmons Barber Shop in Little Rock.
He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Myrtle May Simmons, as well as two brothers R.P. Simmons and Clarence Simmons. He is survived by one sister, Dorothy Simpson and one brother Harvey Bonner. Survivors include two daughters and two sons: Bonnie (Randall) Grimmett, Sherry (Buddy) Walker, Alfred (Glenda) Simmons, Jr., and Jerry Simmons.
He is also survived by 7 grand children and 6 great grandchildren: Grandchildren: Tammy (Thomas) Cole, Brian Walker, Ginger Grimmett, Darren (Dixie) Grimmett, Lorry Thomas, Casey (Kevin) Carter, and Jennifer Simmons. Great Grandchildren: Samantha (Antonio) Garza, Qenton Thomas, Sidney Grimmett, Rebecca Grimmett, Jorja Carter, and Reagan Carter.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday October 17, 2012 in the chapel of Griffin Leggett Healey & Roth, 5800 W. 12th, Little Rock, (501) 661-9111.
Interment with Military Honors will follow at Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery in North Little Rock.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott Brown and his staff his staff at St. Vincent's Hospital.

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Birth	17 Aug 1916	Halstead, Sunflower County, Mississippi
Marriage License	22 Nov 1940	Russell County, Alabama - Myrtle Mae Vines
Marriage	30 Nov 1940	Selma, Dallas County, Alabama - Myrtle Mae Vines
Enlistment	14 Nov 1945	Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Residence	10 Aug 1965	Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Death	12 Oct 2012	Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Obituary	16 Oct 2012	Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas
Burial		Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery, North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas

Spouse	Myrtle Mae Vines (1917 - 2004)
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living
Child	Living

Notes