Richard Lynn Simmons born August 8, 1982, in Novato, California, left the pains of this earthly life Sunday, October 24, 2021 at Utah Valley Hospital in Provo.
While we may never understand the suffering you had to endure throughout your 39 years, we will always remember you. Richard was a gentle-man who rarely raised his voice. He loved to tease and brought love to those around him. He was funny and enjoyed making others laugh. People were not the only recipients of his kindness. Every animal he adopted he loved with his whole heart.
Richard loved his family, his wife Kelsie, and son Jesse. He rarely missed an opportunity to cheer on his favorite participant. One of his happiest days was when he was honored as Father of the Year for his volunteering at Rural Utah Child Development. These are his own words from his nomination: “I make it a personal goal in my life to make an impact on my son and I want to help teach him as much as I can. Being raised by a single mother, I know firsthand how important a father is to a child’s development, to his learning, and his self-esteem. I am a person suffering from end-stage renal failure (kidney failure), I am waiting for a kidney transplant. I go to dialysis three times a week for, four hours of treatment. Dialysis forces my body to work five times harder than a healthy human. Being on dialysis takes a physical and mental toll on my body. Yet I strive to make the time to volunteer at my son’s school. I hope it is teaching my son that no matter what you are going through, you still have to do what is important to you. My son’s education is very important to me, volunteering has brought my son and me closer together.”
Later, he received the: Nothing is as Strong as a Heart of a Volunteer Award, from the Carbon County School District. Richard provided an example for us all to follow.
Richard through the years we watched you do all you can with a body that tried to do all it could to stop you. The anguish of your trials could not diminish your spirit. While we know that life on earth was hard for you, we also know that you are now able to receive the peace you deserve, as you are welcomed into the arms of those on the other side. We will take comfort in the knowledge that you are now free.
Richard is survived by his wife, Kelsie Bohn Simmons; son, Jesse Byron Simmons; mother, Debi Simmons; brother, Jeff J. Simmons Jr.; sisters, Miranda Simmons (Donnie Byrge), Krystal Simmons; grandfather, Richard Haycock; in-laws, Randy (Tina) Bohn, Roxanne (Kirk) Jensen, Baylie (Bobby) Thomas, Wade (Desteni) Bohn, and Drew (Alyssa) Bohn; 11 nephews, and seven nieces.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jeffrey J. Simmons Sr.; grandmother, Ann Haycock.
In Lieu of flowers, a bank account has been set up for donations at Utah Power Credit Union.
Funeral service, Thursday, October 28, 2021, 11:00 a.m., Mitchell Funeral Home. Family will receive friends Wednesday night from 6:00-7:00 p.m. and one hour prior to services on Thursday at the funeral home. Interment, Wellington City Cemetery. Arrangements are entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price where friends and family are always welcome daily and may share memories online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net