of Benton, AR
October 17, 1958 - July 14, 2014
Richard (Rick) Franklin Simmons, Jr., 55, of Benton went to his Heavenly Home on July 14, 2014 after a long courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. He was born on October 17, 1958 to Dr. Richard and Gean Simmons in Little Rock, AR.
Rick was a retired employee at Little Rock Wastewater after 21 years of service. In addition, he worked for Dr. Tim Scott as his lab technician. Rick honorably served 4 years in the U. S. Army and was a faithful member of Centerpoint Church.
Rick was an inspiration to anyone he came in contact with. He enjoyed worshiping the Lord, spreading God's Word to everyone. Rick loved spending time with his family.
Rick is survived by his wife, Sandra Simmons; daughters and spouses, Jeremy and Allison Oliver and Ross and Jessikah Camferdam; parents, Dr. Richard and Gean Simmons; sisters, Lynn (Wyatt) Ferguson, Rebecca (Jimmy) Sandidge, and Deborah (Brent) Jones, and grandchildren, Aubree, Jace, Grace, Keegan, Mason, Garrett, and Meeah Claire.
Funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 17, 2014 at Centerpoint Church with Pastor Pat Dezort and Bro. Kim Hammer officiating. Interment will follow in Mt. Harmony Cemetery in Haskell. Serving as pallbearers are Wyatt Ferguson, Kurt Ferguson, Kyle Ferguson, Jimmy Sandidge, Rick Nitoschke, Ava Nitochke, Dr. Tim Scott, and Wade Scott. Honorary pallbearers will be Little Rock Waste Water Utility Employees.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday evening, July 16th at Roller-Ballard Funeral Home (315-4047).
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in his honor to CARTI Foundation, P.O. Box 55011, Little Rock, AR 72215.
Sandra,
We just heard of your loss. We are so sorry. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Dearest Simmons Family, I began "praying without ceasing" for Rick, his medical team, & his family as soon as I learned about him from precious Lynn, my BSF leader. After hearing the glorious testimony of his faith by friends & family, I know it is my loss not to have known Rick personally; Psalm 139:16 comes to mind. I pray the Lord's peace & comfort for you in the coming days. Grace, in Christ, deb rogers
What a great comfort when you know where your loved ones will be spending eternity and a greater joy knowing that one day you will be reunited. Love and continued prayers for the entire family.
Dear Sweet Simmons Family,
Our deepest thoughts and prayers have been with you for many months and will continue in your hour of grief. Sandra I search for comforting words but only find in my thoughts that God will certainly be holding your hand along your path of despair and sadness. You KNOW there is a life much worse than death. I hope you can feel Gods peace with you soon. Love you and your family dearly. Paula (Isaiah 12:2)
Sandra and family,
My deepest sympathy to you for your loss. But knowing he is now in Heaven and healed is such a celebration. My thoughts and prayers are with the family during the time.
Judy Sheridan Young
Sandra and Family, you all are in our prayers. God loves you so much. He wants to wrap His arms around you and comfort you like nothing you have experienced. Praying God’s peace and presence envelopes you mightily in this time of need. We love you.
My prayers are with you. Rick worked for me for almost ten years at LRW and we will all miss him but will always remember him.
I am so sorry for your loss. May your faith in God see you through this difficult time. My prayers are with you.
Lynn, I'm so sorry fir your loss. Prayers for your whole family.
Thinking of you Sandy girl. Lots of great memories of Rick from high school! Love you Doc Simmons and Gean.
Sandra, sorry to hear about your loss you and your family are in my prayers.
VA Dental Clinic.
I'm so sorry for your loss. Yall are in my thoughts and prayers.
To the Simmons Family just want to let you know that Rick will be missed dearly. He was very special Man. May God Bless you in the days to come. If there is anything you need please call.
Our hearts go out to each one of you. Sandra, your and Rick's journey through this time was one of faith, strength, and amazing love. May The Lord Jesus hold you in His arms and Holy Spirit fill y'all with His peace and comfort!!
So sorry to hear of Rick's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. May you feel God's comforting arms around you.
We are sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with you. You will remain in our prayers.
Sandra and Allison: I am SO SORRY for your loss. When I say I know how you feel...I DO know how you feel! I lost my dad in 2010, my mom in 2011, and my brother in 2012. I know that everyone will tell you that time heals. And yes it does. But it is ALWAYS WITH you. Allison, my most fond memory of you is the picture of you and me that was in the Benton Courier! Do you remember? My prayers to you all. Love.....Jane Sharp
We are so sorry for the loss of Rick but we know he's in Gods loving arms now. Heaven is the reward for Godly men like Rick so we know he will be wearing a crown of many jewels. Me and Terri will continue to keep you on our prayer list.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Blessings always,
Lisa Henry
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I would like to let the Simmons family know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God keep and comfort you during this difficult time.
God bless,
Rosa Howard
(VA Dental clinic)
I was so sad to hear of Rick's battle with pancreatic cancer and of his passing. I have lost touch with so many of you. Please know that all of you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Simmons Family, your in our thoughts and prayers. Rick will surely be missed , he was loved by everyone.
I am sorry to hear about rick . I am praying for your family . Let me know if we can do anything for you all !
I didn't know Richard and his family, but he had to be a great person, being the son of Dickey. I graduated H.S. with Dickey. he was a good friend. My prayers goes out to all the family.
To Rick's family,
I am sorry for the physical loss you are feeling. I rejoice with you, in that Rick is now with our Heavenly Father. May God's presence, peace and comfort be with all of you during this difficult time.
Sandra
As a member of your CAVHS (work) Family I want to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved Rick.
You are in my thoughts as you find your way though this. I'am praying for your healing,
with the passage of time. I know you miss him; I send my understanding and consolation. Know that the strain, the pain,
will eventually ease. May your pleasant memories sustain and comfort you.
Rick was a great guy and he will be truly missed. Im gonna really miss him calling up here at one call trying to disguise his voice and singing "meeechelle my bell" to me. LOL!! You all are in my prayers. Stay strong family God doesnt make any mistakes.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
Rick was such a great testament of what it is to let God's light shine through you. When you looked at Rick you saw God's love, mercy and compassion exhibited through a man to all those around! I did not know Rick real well but you didn't have to know him well to know that he was God's servant and he loved his family. Prayers for the family that God wraps them in His comforting arms and that it is okay to weep and mourn for a time but that rejoicing comes in knowing that Rick is dancing and praising our Father God and experiencing something that we can only start to imagine.
Rick, It Is So Sad To Let You Go But We All Know Your In GOD's Hands!! In Which Your Better Off & No Longer In Pain!! We Will Always Remember Your Smile!!\
To The Family Of Rick's Family!! It Hurts Right Now Just Know He Is Better Off & No Longer In Pain!! May GOD Hold You All Up!!
Ms. Gean, Lynn and Rebecca,
I do not have the words for you and your family but others do:
LOVE HAS COME – MARK SCHULTZ
Well, I know this life is filled with sorrow
And there are days when the pain just lasts and lasts
But I know there will come a day
When all our tears are washed away with a break in the clouds
For anybody who has ever lost a loved one
And you feel like you had to let go too soon
I know it hurts to say goodbye
But don't you know it's just a matter of time till the tears are gonna end
You'll see them once again and in that moment
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That God is love and love has come for us all
Every heart set free, everyone will see
That God is love and love has come for us all
God Bless You and Keep You!
Dear Simmons Family
So sorry to hear of Rick's passing ..but rejoicing that He is home with the God that loved him so. I used to babysit Ricky and Rebecca, and Lynn. I love his family then and I love them now. Dr. & Mrs Simmons please know Jerry and I will be praying for you in the days and weeks ahead. We rejoice that we will see Ricky again, what a great day that will be.
He was and is a good friend. He could always put a smile on
your face. He helped me out a few times when i felt like giving up on life. Rick was one of the few people that helped me restore my faith in christ. Really gonna miss you my friend but ill see you again.
My deepest sympathy goes out to you Sandra and your Family. Keeping you close in my thoughts and prayers.
Jessikah,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your family is in my thoughts and prayers.
Dr. Simmons, Mrs. Simmons, and family:
I was very saddened to hear the loss in your family. I will pray for comfort and peace that only our Lord can provide during this time of sorrow.
Sandy Johnson
May God bless you and comfort you and give you peace. Rick was an awesome man and my heart is heavy to see him go but I rejoice in his healing and that he gets to reside w his Father God!!! Our true home!
We love y'all! No one ever met Rick and left feeling sad. He was a happy person and made everyone happy.
Sorry to hear about Rick I remember all the laughs and good times we had in school he was always a friend and could make you smile even on your worse day always a smile and a kind word. Prayers for you and your family god will carry you when you need him to and is always there for you
Keeping you and your beautiful family in my prayers Jess.
I met Rick Simmons in 1994 at Holland Chapel Missionary Baptist Church eventually joining as church family once again at Centerpoint Church. We served in youth ministry together in the JR. Varsity Awana Program. Rick and I attained our evangelism certifications through the Evangelism Explosion (EE) training school also becoming certified EE trainers. We witnessed the gospel afterward in Saline County. Rick and Sandra were always active with their children/family, church, and community. We participated in multiple church events and classes. Rick always had a passion for life. Rick's life is a model we all need to follow. Rick finished his race giving his all. Rick was a man of integrity, honor, and loved everyone. I'm a better man for knowing Rick Simmons. My prayers go out to Sandra, his beloved wife, his children, grandchildren, parents, siblings, and extended family during this time. I'll miss you Rick. When I get to Heaven, I owe you a round of golf.
Your friend,
Don Martin
It was always a good day at Ashley when Rick was there. Laughter and joy were his constant companions, and his love for Jesus was ever present. He will be missed.
Dear Sandra, I remember your kind and loving advice for me when my husband was battling cancer. You helped me so very much. I appreciate you. I hope to return the favor to you when you feel ready. I understand the loss of a spouse. If you need to talk, please call me. I am here for you. You, Allison, and your entire family are in my prayers. May God bless you, as I know he will.
So sorry for your loss,keeping all the family in our prayers.
Rick was a true inspiration to his Wilmington Family. We had the pleasure of knowing him for a short time, but during that time he taught us about living and about family. Sandra, I know that Rick is with God now and I also know that he left so many great memories for you to share. My prayers are with you and the rest of his family.
Dear Sandra, There are no words to ease your heartache, but please know how deeply your friends care for you all. With heartfelt sympathy, Much love & many prayers for you & your family. Judy
Even though it seems like a brief moment in time, I'll never forget the kindness you showed to me and my family and that big, bright smile. Love you Rick and May God's love, peace, hope and joy surround your family always. Our family grieves with yours, but we remember to live life with a spirited passion, Rick-style.
Sandra and family,
So sorry to hear of Rick Death. May god be with you in your time of sorrow. Rick meant the world to me and Paul, but we know that he is in heaven. He is with George and Ailene and they are catching up on all the good times that we all had. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of sorrow.
Sorry to hear of Rick's passing. Rick was a great guy from a great family. I remember Rick as a member of a Holland Chapel Baptist Church...thoughts & prayers to all family members.
Greg&Karen Chenault
I remember the blond young man I met when we came to your home. Many days have passed and alot of love ones gone. You will all be in my prayers.
This is the story of a man, who profoundly impacted my spirit, life. Oh that I may KNOW HIM, our JESUS, like Rick Simmons. A man who I was able to spend a few hours sitting next to, just a few weeks before Rick went to be in his Heavenly Home. I watched as Rick WORSHIPED with HANDS RAISED, shaking His Head YES, as the Preacher spoke of our Beautiful Savior Jesus. As I looked up at Rick, you could see His body was riddled with cancer and pain. But that was not going to stop him from giving PRAISE to our RISEN KING. Rick’s hands were raised often throughout the service, with a labored, “AMEN” ! coming from his mouth. What an example, what a witness. It makes me think of “Blessed Assurance” Jesus is Mine, Oh what a foretaste of glory divine! Death could not hold you, - you are victorious. Praise to the Risen King. Oh, what a Savior, Wonderful Jesus. Through Ricks example, I can hear Rick echoing, “Perfect submission, ALL IS AT REST, I - IN MY SAVIOR – AM HAPPY AND BLESSED. FILLED with HIS GOODNESS, LOST IN HIS LOVE”. This is my story, Praising my SAVIOR. “BLESSED ASSURANCE”. My Love go forth to the whole family and a Thank You for helping form this man into a man I will never forget and try to strive to Know and Love our Savior JESUS like Rick did. Thank you for the WITNESS. …. THANK YOU RICK SIMMONS!
Rick and Sandra,,
Sorry for your loss.
We love you. You will be missed.
Love,
Ray and Kitty
Simmons Family,
I am so, so sorry for your loss. There is no pain or heartache worse than losing your child. The only advise I can give is to let the grief run it's course but keep your faith close. The most treasured words I have received was from one of Tom's closest friends - "The pain will never be better or less, but with time, it will be different." If ever I can help you please let me know. God Bless you all.
Our deepest sympathy goes out to you Sandra and the family. Just know its not good bye, its see you later......
God bless.
Love you,
Carol
Please know how saddened I am for the loss of your beloved Rick. Losing a loved one is a difficult time in life and I do know how deeply painful this is for your entire family. To help with my grief over your loss I went to John 14:1-3. I pray this scripture brings you peace. " Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe in me. In my fathers house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and will take you to myself; where I am you may be also.
Rita Arnone friend.
I know Rick is with our Lord Jesus. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. May the Lord give you strength during this time and may you fell HIS love and arms wrapped around you to comfort you.
Blessing
Tom & Teresa Groce
West Monroe, LA
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.