Terry Simmons August 14, 1947 - January 5, 2021

OKLAHOMA CITY

Obituary for Terry Simmons Robert Terry Simmons was born on August 14, 1947, in Oklahoma City to Thelma June and Bob Simmons. He attended and graduated from Oklahoma City Public Schools. He attended The University of Oklahoma, where he graduated with honors with a degree in journalism. He was voted “Mr. Journalism” for that year, an honor that he relished. Terry was the first person in his family to graduate from college.

After Terry graduated, he left Oklahoma to pursue his dreams spending time in New York City; Washington, DC; Pennsylvania; and Virginia.

He worked at various jobs on his journey such as sweeping floors and cleaning offices, writing obituaries for a newspaper, busboy and waiter.

During that time, he met Chip, the owner of Reel-O-Matic, who mentored Terry in his company. That friendship ultimately led to Terry becoming the vice-president, and eventual owner of the company.

Terry lived an interesting life, both here and abroad. He met all cultures and kinds of people and always embraced their beliefs and differences.

Terry’s compassion and generosity were unmatched. All who knew him felt his love and kindness. When meeting Terry, people immediately felt a connection and became instant friends. He never forgot a person’s name and always remembered something personal about people he met.

Terry’s immediate family was his life blood. Terry is survived by his big brother who he looked up to, Doanld Simmons and wife Connie; his sister, Linda Little, who was his “go-to person,” and her husband, Rick LIttle; many nieces and nephews, who kept him young, Cody Little and wife Jamey, Mariah Hudson and husband Jimmy, Marti Gregg and husband Nick, Scott Simmons and wife Cindy, and Stephanie Romero and husband Angel. Perhaps his greatest joys were his great- nieces and nephews, including Madeleine, Michael, Collins, Emmy, Canton, Brooks, Gavin, Hayze, Gunner, Acea, and Aaron. They always had so much fun playing with TT.

Terry’s faith was strong and unbreakable. His strength and compassion came from his belief in God. He was a very devoted member of The Church of the Firstborn. His church was as equally important to him as his own family. He traveled all over the U.S. to visit and minister. He spread God’s word and encouragement to all he visited, at home and afar. He was always available and generous to those in need, whether spiritually or monetarily, never expecting anything in return. His payback was the joy he got in knowing that he had lightened someone’s burden or worries.

Terry will be missed by everyone who knew him, even by those who never knew his name. Perhaps it was the girl at the store who he told she looked pretty, or the waitress at the diner who he sensed needed a little extra tip in her pocket that day. Terry will be missed by his family who will always feel a void and miss hearing his laugh and encouraging words. We will miss his big hugs and cheek squeezes. There are so many things we will miss about our TT. We may have lost him on Earth, but he will always be a part of our hearts. We were so blessed to have had him in our lives for as long as God allowed. Truly a life well lived.

As Terry would say to us all now, “Lets go big team, let’s go!”