James David Simmons

James David Simmons, 78, of Springville, passed away at home in the early morning hours of May 31, 2022, with his wife, Nancy beside him.

David, "Dave" to most people who knew him, was born in Nashville, Tennessee to James Alfred and Pearlie Mabel Simmons in 1943. From the stories he's shared, he was a very active child who didn't mind "coloring outside the lines".

David was educated in West Nashville, and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with degrees in Psychology and Engineering.

He married Judi Bates in 1961, and they were blessed with three beautiful and active boys. Oh, the stories of their escapades!

Life changes, and David left Tennessee in 1978, moving to California, where he worked for Arco Solar. With a second marriage David gained two step-daughters. In 1985, he moved to Utah and worked as a production manager for Abbott Labs He soon fell in love with the beautiful mountains and desert trails needing to be explored.

David was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous where he worked with other recovering alcoholics, and was an example of recovery to those who knew him.

More life changes brought him to Provo, where he met Nancy Bennett, also in recovery, and they were married in November of 1994, adding seven more children to his family. A very brave man, indeed.

As a boy, David always wanted an electric train but never had one. So he made up for that by having several electric trains after he became a grandpa, and his grandkids loved watching them speed around the train tracks.

He was a real adventurer. Together, David and Nancy enjoyed hiking, four-wheeling in Moab, motorcycles, driving down roads just to discover where they went, traveling, bicycling, and driving around curvy mountain roads in his convertible sports cars. He also loved vintage car races and they traveled to as many as they could.

David will be sorely missed. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of Springville, his sister, Barbara (David) Stallings, North Carolina; two sons, Michael (Sarah) Simmons, Hendersonville, Tennessee; Paul Simmons, Nashville. Step-children: Linda Nielson, of Lehi; Dana (David) Richards, Sandy; Greg Bennett, Spanish Fork; Becky (Mike) Biggs, Springville; Beau (Keelee) Bennett, North Ogden; Tara Winn, Pleasant Grove; Christine (Andrew) Hansen, Sandy; Jennifer (Brandon) Harding, South Jordan. Twenty-six grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his son, Jamie Simmons, and step-daughter Deidre Patchin.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 8, at the Spring Creek Stake Center, 760 North 400 East, in Springville. Viewing from 10:00 to 11:30, with the funeral following at 12:00. Burial will be at the Provo City Cemetery.

For those unable to join us in person, services will be streamed live beginning at 12:00 at https://www.facebook.com/wheelermortuary/videos/1602424156794759