Pat Simmons

Pat Simmons, 76, died in Mineral Wells on Monday June 14, 2010, after a brief illness. He was born July 15, 1933 in Vernon, Texas to Onie and Eva Simmons, and was a resident of Mineral Wells for over 50 years, where he was a high school teacher, coach, and later, a mechanical engineer for Centron Corporation. Pat graduated from Oklaunion High School, received his B.S. degree from Texas Wesleyan College in Ft. Worth, and had additional post-graduate work in physics at the University of Texas and Colorado State University. On July 30, 1954, he married Sara Duncan in Valley View, Texas. In 1954, Mr. Simmons taught and coached at Joshua High School, then moved to Mineral Wells High School, where he taught math and science, and coached football, basketball, and baseball from 1956 until 1967-68. He started the baseball program at the high school, and had many successful teams in his coaching career. In 1968, he worked a summer job at Privitt Plastics, which later became Centron Corporation, and that summer job turned into a 40-year career as a mechanical engineer. While at Centron, he engineered and developed their major product, fiberglass pipe, and received a patent for the joint design. In addition to the pipe design, he also designed and developed the process and machinery for manufacturing the pipe. Mr. Simmons was a member of First United Methodist Church of Mineral Wells, and was a former MWISD School Board member, as well as serving on other community organizations. He was recently inducted into the Teacher Hall of Fame by the 50 Year Club. Mr. Simmons was preceded in death by his parents, and one daughter, Linda Haley. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Sara Simmons, his mother in law, DeLois Duncan, both of Mineral Wells, a son, Paul Simmons and wife Susan of Wichita Falls, a daughter, Christi Simmons of Dallas, a sister, Donna Remus of Ft. Worth, a brother, Ronnie Simmons of Vernon, grand-daughters Amy and Bonnie Haley of Austin, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held in Mineral Wells at First United Methodist Church, with details pending. The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to a favorite charity. Also, the family would like to thank Dr. Ty Gore, Dr. Ed Evans, Robert Waddy, the staff at Palo Pinto Nursing Center, and all the friends who visited, for their kindness and compassion during Pat's illness.