Obituary of Melvin Simmons

Melvin Simmons of Dallas, Texas passed away on Saturday, August 22, 2020 at the age of 88 years. Due to concerns regarding COVID, a private funeral service will be held for the immediate family at Merit Memorial Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. Interment will follow at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas where he will be laid to rest with military honors. Melvin was born in Dallas, Texas to Lemuel and Christine Yarborough Simmons on December 11, 1931. He was the seventh child of 11. He graduated from Lincoln High School and went on to attend the HBCU, Prairie View A&M in Prairie View, Texas. He was the first student at Prairie View A&M to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in the field of Architectural Engineering. Upon graduation, he was commissioned into the Army as a Second Lieutenant due to his time served in the ROTC program. He served two years in the Army and was honorably discharged as a First Lieutenant. Melvin went on to start his career as an Aerospace engineer with Hughes Aircraft Company, Space Systems Division. One of his greatest achievements was working as Project Engineer on Surveyor I, the first spacecraft to softly land on the moon, thus paving man’s journey to the planets. In later years, he transitioned to LTV Corporation where he supported several Commercial and Department of Defense aeronautical contracts until his retirement in 1994. He was a very loving person. A multi-talented and highly creative individual with a quick wit and a heart of gold. A few of his favorite pastimes that gave him great pleasure included architectural landscaping and gardening, home renovation, traveling, cooking “Chef Mel”, watching his beloved Dallas Cowboys, photography, and numerous other hobbies. Melvin is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, Louise Denson Simmons. His five children: Kenneth Simmons (Debbie), Sherri Simmons Alexander (Daniel), Michon Simmons Parker Stephenson (Tony), Jesse McCune, Jr. (Martha) and Kellye Simmons Oubre (Duray); his 13 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: John Simmons (Loretta), Kirtley Simmons Smith and Edgar Tino Simmons Montoya (Lovetina); Sister-in-law, Shirley Cornwell St. Etienne and Brother-in-law, Charles Denson, Jr.; and a host of nieces and nephews that he loved dearly. He is preceded in death by his parents: Lemuel and Christine Yarborough Simmons; his siblings: Rita Simmons Hodges, Ruth Simmons Davis, Alphaeus Simmons, Lemuel Simmons, Jr., Esther Simmons Hawthorne, Yarborough Simmons and Louis Simmons.