James “Jimmy” Ray Simmons, 68, went to race with the Lord on June 24, 2020, at his home in Hutchinson. He was born November 20, 1951, in Hutchinson, the son of Carl A. and Margret L. (Thompson) Simmons.
On March 24, 1970 Jimmy enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged on April 5, 1974. Jimmy was on the USS Nathan Hale and served in the Vietnam War. On February 16, 1980, he married Pam Kever. They divorced in 1996. On October 5, 2002, he married Edna Dudley. She died on January 26, 2017. Jimmy was self-employed and owned Demint-Simmons home appliance repair. Jimmy enjoyed fishing and NASCAR. He also built and drove dirt track race cars for many years.
Jimmy is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Edna Simmons; two sisters, Joyce Carter and Shirley Honeycutt; one brother, David Simmons and a granddaughter, Alexia Marrie Crabbs.
Survivors include his daughter, Kim Crabbs (Zach); one brother, Terry Simmons (Terrie); two grandsons, Caleb and Eli Crabbs; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2020 at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel, 300 E. 30th Ave., Hutchinson, KS with Howard Nelson officiating. Visitation will be held on Monday, June 29, 2020 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. with family greeting guests from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hutchinson Funeral Chapel. Burial will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery. Jimmy had requested that everyone wear their favorite NASCAR shirt, if they like.
Jimmy would have liked memorial contributions to go towards his grandson’s education fund. Please make contributions to the Caleb and Eli Crabbs Education Fund and can be sent in care of the funeral home.