Kenneth William Simmons

Kenneth Williams Simmons, 66, died Friday, June 19, 2009, at White County Medical Center in Searcy, Arkansas. A hard fought struggle with Mantle Cell Lymphoma, a form of cancer, took the life of this beloved husband/father/grandfather and friend to so many. He will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. Ken was born November 3, 1942, in Cleveland, Ohio, and moved to Searcy at the beginning of his teen years. Because he always had an intense interest in airplanes and aviation, he took flying lessons, made a solo flight and earned his pilot's license just one week after his 16th birthday. Following the completion of a B.A. degree in Speech from Harding University in 1964, he settled in full time before a microphone at KWCB, Searcy's radio station (now known as KWCK), where he already had spent some time during his college years. In 1965, when the military draft seemed imminent, he opted to enlist with the Air Force, a logical choice since he'd been in the Civil Air Patrol for several years. During basic training at San Antonio, Texas, Ken talked with a Sergeant, explaining his inclination toward radio and his experience in the field, hoping to get an assignment doing what he loved the most. It worked; he was assigned to the Armed Forces Radio and Television Services. The first year and a half was in Peshawar, Pakistan, a rather desolate area near the Khyber Pass. His next tour proved to set the tone for the rest of his life - he was sent to Seville, Spain, for three years where he met Angie, the love of his life, who worked at a local Spanish radio station. They were married in Spain just prior to returning to the states. Upon completion of his full time military service, he opted to continue in the Air National Guard for 15 more years. Eventually settling back in Searcy, Ken became a familiar voice on KWCK radio, heard throughout central Arkansas for the next 27 years. When technology and law changed the field of radio broadcasting, he returned to his first love by becoming Manager of the Searcy Municipal Airport, a position he held for 10 years. The final two years of his work life was spent in the Administrative Offices of the Catholic Diocese of Little Rock. Ken's life has been a wonderful journey of joy, love and laughter. His extraordinary sense of humor and warm friendship will never be forgotten by those who knew him best. He is survived by Angie, his loving wife of 40 years, and by his sons Robert and David, his daughter in law Jill, his granddaughters Victoria (Tori) and Haley, his sister Ruth, his sister-in-law Vivia, his brothers in law and sisters in law Jose Maria Vaquero & Maria Luisa Calderon and Justa Vaquero & Jose Castillejo, nieces, nephews, and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Myrtle Simmons of Searcy, and by his brother Ernie Simmons of Phoenix. His family wishes to convey their deepest appreciation to Dr. Ryan Koch, to the nurses and personnel at White County Medical Center, and to special friend Dr. Miguel Aguinaga for their extraordinary care and compassion. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Building Fund of St. James Catholic Church, P. O. Box 172, Searcy, AR 72143-0172.

Kenneth William Simmons

November 3, 1942 - June 19, 2009