Jasper Simmons' Obituary
Jasper Simmons, 92, of Columbia, Mo., passed into eternity on Thursday, October 29, 2015 at University of Missouri Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 12 PM on Saturday November 7, 2015 at Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church in Holts Summit. The visitation will be held from 11 am - 12 pm at the church.
Jasper William Simmons, nicknamed, Buck and Jasper, was called home by our Heavenly Father on October 29, 2015 at University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri at the age of 92.
Jasper was born on February 12, 1923, to the late Warner and Lucille Simmons in Callaway County. He grew up in Cedar City, Missouri where he learned the skills of gardening and hunting at a young age.
Jasper played on an all black softball team when he was a young man. He would always bunt the ball and make it to first base; he was so fast that they called him Rabbit.
Jasper and his brother Robert were both very fast. Jasper said that the two of them used to run all the way from Jefferson City to their home in Cedar City.
He proudly served his country in the United States Army during World War II.
He lived in Wisconsin and Tennessee for a while, before returning to the family home in Cedar City. He worked for the State of Missouri until his retirement.
Jasper either had his Kangol hat on, or his straw hat and big bib overalls when he worked in his garden. He was well known for his vast vegetable garden. He had the biggest tomatoes, cabbages, cantaloupes, and watermelons. Everyone sought him out for his vegetables. He was also well known for rabbit and coon hunting. Jasper Simmons did not miss and we won’t forget about his barbecuing skills. Jasper’s barbecue mutton was the best!
He enjoyed being at family gatherings and barbecues. He enjoyed exchanging stories and tall tells with family and friends.
He leaves to mourn his memory three sons: Robert Simmons (Annabelle) of Columbia, Andre McCoy (Kathy) of West Bend, Wisconsin, and Jasper Terrell Winbush of Brownsville, Tennessee. Also to mourn his memory are two daughters Ginger Maddox of Fulton, Missouri and Loretta Simmons of Ripley, Tennessee. He also leaves to mourn him a host of grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
Preceding him in death were his son Carl Simmons, his brother Robert Simmons, and two sisters Mildred Thomas and Hilda Simmons.
Jasper, “Buck, Jap, Pops, Daddy, Dad, Grandpa”, will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him. But we know he is with his Lord in Heaven. As his great grand daughter Alexa said, “Grandpa Jasper got his wings now”.
What’s your fondest memory of Jasper?
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