The impact one man can make in a community was clearly evident just ahead of the noon hour today in Michigan’s Great Southwest when a massive funeral procession of law enforcement officers paying last respects to one of their own rolled through town on the last ride of 72-year old Bobby Simmons, a long time St. Joseph Township Police Officer, and before that a Berrien County Sheriff’s Deputy.
Simmons’ brave battle with cancer ended on Friday, April 17th at his home while in the care of his family in Benton Harbor.
An entourage of nearly 50 police officers accompanied Simmons funeral cortege on the northbound trip through the heart of the city to North Shore Memory Gardens in Coloma. The procession passed beneath a huge American flag supported by aerial firetrucks at the intersection of M-63 and Klock Road north of the St. Joseph River at Harbor Shores.
A private family gathering was held today, Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at Pike Funeral and Cremation Services, Boyd Chapel in Bridgman, followed by the trip to his graveside service at North Shore Memory Gardens.
A public celebration of life and a gathering of family and friends will be announced and held later this summer. In the meantime, memorial contributions may be given to the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 96, 2665 Niles Rd, St Joseph, MI 49085 or the UChicago Medicine Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine, 5758 S. Maryland Ave., Chicago, IL 60637. Online condolences are being accepted at www.PikeFH.com
Bobby was born July 7, 1947 in Springfield, Massachusetts the son of the late Mordecia and Cornelia (Rosemond) Simmons. He graduated from Northwood University in Midland, Michigan. He played high school, college and some pro football with the New York Jets, and also coached football, track and basketball at Lake Michigan Catholic High School for 23 years. He was a deputy with the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office for 10 years and retired from the St. Joseph Charter Township Police Department in 2016 after 25 years of service.
Survivors include his wife: Teresa; children: Bobby Simmons, Jr., Olen (Shantel) Simmons, Temieka (Don) Turner, Rakesha Hill, Travontii (Johnelle) Montgomery and Taviin (Nicole) Simmons; grandchildren: Don, Jr., Elijah and Nieka Turner, Mason, Mia and Morgan Hill, Olen, Jr., and Iesha Simmons; great grandchildren: Daziya, Skai and Don III Turner, Olen III and Amiyah Simmons; special friends: Betty Simmons, Tommijuana Hersey-Howard, Debra Hill and Cynthia and Mark Bingaman.
The photo accompanying this story on Moody on the Market is courtesy of Mark Parren.
