Raymond F. Simmers

 

Born in May of 1920 in Coatesville to the late Winfield and Elizabeth Kirk Simmers, Ray was the last surviving child of nine.  Three years ago he was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Ruth Trego Simmers.  Ray is survived by his nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews and close friends.  

 

On the day he graduated from Coatesville High School, Ray reported to work the three to eleven shift at Bethlehem Steel where he stayed until enlisting in the Army Air Corp.  An injury during training resulted in his honorable discharge but it did not end his love of flying.  His engagement to Ruth did that when she learned he survived several crashes.  A promise to stop flying became a stipulation of their marriage.  Ray’s adage that “any landing you can walk away from is a good landing”, was not sufficient to dissuade her.

 

Upon returning from the Army Air Corp, Ray found work in the Lukens advertising department where he won numerous awards as their photographer.  His assignments ranged from industrial photography in the rolling mills and steel yards to publicity photography.  His most memorable assignment was traveling to Washington DC where he photographed Lukens’s President, C.L. Huston meeting with America's President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. 

 

In addition to his work Ray enjoyed golfing with Ruth and their friends at the Coatesville Country Club and traveling to Florida with their lifelong friends Norman and Nancy Hogg.  During his retirement years he dog sat for his buddies, Irish and Carson.  Ray was also a member of the Brandywine Goddard Masonic Lodge of Coatesville.

 

The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, March 30, 2012 at 11 AM at the Parkesburg Baptist Church, 103 West Street, Parkesburg, PA 19365, followed by interment in the Upper Octorara Cemetery of Parkesburg.  Family and friends are invited to attend the viewing, which will be held at the Church from 10 AM until the time of the service.

 

Donations may be made to either the Parkesburg Baptist Church at the above address or to the Garden Spot Village Benevolence Fund, 433 S. Kinzer Ave., New Holland, PA  17557.

 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Wilde Funeral Home of Parkesburg.  Online condolences can be posted at www.wildefuneralhome.com.