Dr. Richard A. "Doc" Simmons, retired veterinarian, passed away peacefully at Valley View Villa in Fort Morgan on Saturday, May 5, 2007. Born in Crawford, CO, on May 23, 1921, to Lillian & Carl Simmons, he was the youngest of their four sons. By 1989, his parents, and brothers, Les, Roe and Bill had predeceased him. Doc graduated from Delta High School, where he had excelled in football and state championship basketball. He loved sports, all kinds of music and playing the trombone. It was at Delta High that he first met Marian McClung. During WW II, all four Simmons brothers served in four different branches of the armed services. Al four survived the war. Doc was deployed for active service with the Colorado National Guard 157th Infantry. He was awarded the Silver Star for campaigns in Italy, France, and Africa; the Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, and a Purple Heart, having been wounded in Sicily. Shortly after this, the 157th Infantry was instrumental in the liberation of Dachau concentration comp. Following WW II and several years after high school, Doc met Marian again in Denver and they were married. Marian was an integral part of the vet practice for over thirty years. They had just celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary when Marian passed away in 1993. Doc attended Colorado State University, where he lettered in football and graduated with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1951. The Simmons family moved to Fort Morgan, and Doc began a vet career that would last almost fifty years and would develop important friendships with countless families for several generations. He initially practiced with Dr. John Smith, and then went into private practice until Dr. Don Ostwald joined him in 1959. They built the Fort Morgan Veterinary Clinic that opened in 1976. Doc was recognized in many ways for his achievements and service to the community. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, VFW, Elks, honorary member of the Fort Morgan volunteer Fire Dept., and a 32nd Degree Mason. During his retirement, he dedicated his time to the Disabled Veterans of American, assisting the van pool with needed transportation for vets to VA hospitals in Denver, Cheyenne, and other locations... Doc was a great gardener, whistler, a pretty good cook (in later years) and loved playing poker with his friends. During his retirement, Doc took up golf and enjoyed traveling, dancing and attending concerts and plays with his close friend, Margaret McGraw. He valued his relationship with the McGraw family. Surviving are his four children, Connie Simmons and her husband, Jack Dutt; and Richard Simmons Jr. all of Seattle, WA, Cynthia Holmes and her husband, Ritch, of Houston, TX, and Gregory Simmons of Fort Morgan; 6 grandchildren, Amy, Ryan, Matthew, Megghan, Susannah, and Lucas; and 12 great grandchildren; his sister-in-law, Margaret Garner; numerous nieces and nephews, and his nonagenarian dog, Zeke. Doc had surgery in November, 2006, to remove a brain tumor. Although he fought a fierce battle to regain his health, never complaining and never quitting, it wasn't to be. But he knew who he was and where he was going. Thanks to all Doc's friends for cards, calls and visits during these last months. Visitation will be at the Heer & Jolliffe Mortuary on Saturday, May 12, fro 3 – 6 PM. Cremation is to follow and a memorial service to be announced later. Friends who wish may make memorial gifts to the DAV Transportation Fund c/o Don Osborn, 26186 MCR 7 Weldona, CO 80653, or to the Fort Morgan Animal Shelter, 900 E. Railroad Ave., Fort Morgan, CO 80701.