Ray Edward Simmons, 74, longtime area resident, died Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at the Valley View Villa Care Center in Fort Morgan.

Ray was born August 3, 1941 in Sayre, Oklahoma to Florene "Shorty" and Mary Lucille (Richardson) Simmons.

He married Verna F. Kirk on December 30, 1988 in Fort Morgan. She died in 2006.

Ray was a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Morgan.

He was also a member of the NRA.

Ray enjoyed fishing and hunting. He loved to laugh and never acted with malice toward anyone. At one time he was a member of the "Harmony Hats", a traveling group that entertained at nursing homes and various other places.

Ray is survived by two sons, Paul Sundling and wife Libby of Los Angeles, CA, and Kevin Simmons and wife Kirsa of Emmet, Nebraska, his mother, Mary Lucille Simmons, of Fort Morgan, one sister, Florene Lintner and husband Paul of Brush, five grandchildren, Kathryn, Kadra, Khobe, Ausha, and Alexis, and three great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife Verna, one son, David Simmons, and his father.

There will be a visitation on Sunday, April 3, 2016 from 2 until 4 PM at the Heer Mortuary in Fort Morgan.

Funeral Services will be Monday, April 4, 2016 at 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church in Fort Morgan. Interment will follow in Memory Gardens.